'One-Of-A-Kind': Experimental Art Group Pushes Boundaries At New South Bay Exhibit

TORRANCE, CA — With each stroke of a brush, the threading of a needle or the glazing of ceramics, this South Bay group continues pushing the boundaries of art.

The Experimental Artists of the South Bay, a "one-of-a-kind" art organization comprised of nearly 30 members, has opened up its annual exhibition Destination: Art — a studio and gallery located in Torrance.

"After trying other local venues, the lure of a larger space and a place to have our annual shows, along with Destination: Art’s prowess in the area persuaded EASB to ‘find a home’ at this remarkable art space," Jody Wiggins, a 10-year member of Experimental Artists of the South Bay, said in a statement Thursday. "This is an incredible art space and the community feeling is unduplicated."

This year's exhibit showcases a variety of different art mediums and techniques from conceptual and dynamic paintings to interpretive 3D art.

“The goal is to come up with usual art techniques and strategies that will motivate our artistic abilities to produce unusual works of art,” Wiggins said. "EASB artists should be acknowledged as fantastic, creative, gentle souls who give to Destination: Art, the community and the world."

Annie Gomm, Marketing Director at Destination: Art, told Patch that EASB is made up of some of the South Bay's most renowned mixed media artists.

This includes Lynn Chiyeko Mikami, one of 23 artists who has their work on display at the exhibit, and co-founder of EASB. Mikami's pieces appear to be inspired by nature while simultaneously showing influence from her Japanese heritage.

Jean Shultz, another artist, works with 3D materials. Laura Millman, in this particular exhibition, focuses on mixed media papers with resin on wood.

EASB's pieces show how the human imagination is endless, taking inspiration from its surroundings and testing limits, Gomm said, quoting EASB's 2010 book featuring members' artwork.

"Experimental art explores new ideas, materials, mediums and sometimes technology," Gomm told Patch. "Very often a combination of materials and mediums will be used — e.g. fabric + paper + acrylic paint on cardboard."

Destination: Art will be hosting a reception Saturday, July 26, from 3 to 5 p.m. for the new exhibit. There will be 97 pieces for viewing in the gallery.

To view more pieces from the exhibit and see which artists will be featured, click here.