Nashville, Tenn. – September 20, 2024 – Contemporary arts center OZ Arts Nashville today announced an exhibition of works titled Passages of Light: A Journey Through Hidden Worlds and Magickal Repetition by Danny Sofa, a visionary Nashville artist whose work spans a variety of disciplines. The collection of large-scale paintings invites spectators to surrender their presumptions about reality and explore what lies beneath the surface of the usual interpretation of our world. The intriguing exhibit is open now at OZ Arts through the new year, with a special opening reception on Thursday, October 3rd from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Curated in partnership with Cë Gallery founder Clarence Edward, Passages of Light showcases Sofa’s unique artistic voice with a dreamlike landscape of vivid characters, creatures, and iconography. His dynamic paintings highlight figures who exist in states of emotional transition and transformation as the canvases tell stories along a journey to a magical realm that offers a distorted yet enhanced vision of reality.
Sofa’s vivid imagery is fantastical and, at times, nightmarish, as huddled groups band together in solidarity, animals bark and howl and one landscape melts into the next. Recurring symbols such as flames, moons, and candles offer points of illumination and reflection in each of the works, interplaying bright colors with contrasting areas of darkness or pure light. Each work invites viewers to lean in closer and ponder: who are these figures, and what story do they tell?
In a statement about the new exhibition, Sofa said:
This collection marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of my artistic practice. In contrast to our reality – or perhaps akin to it – characters from my reality exist in emotionally transient states, contemplating the emotions and actions of those around them. The answers to the questions posed by each piece often shift throughout the creation process and sometimes even after the works are finished. I like to believe that once I complete a piece, that’s when it truly begins to live.
“Sofa’s vivid paintings evoke potent theatrical narratives and lovingly warped characters,” said Mark Murphy, Executive and Artistic Director at OZ Arts. “We’re excited to introduce his unique and expressive work to art lovers at OZ Arts during our wide-ranging fall season.”
Passages of Light: A Journey Through Hidden Worlds and Magickal Repetition is open now, running through January 17, 2025, and can be viewed during OZ’s lively calendar of performances and events. The opening reception on Thursday, October 3 at 5:30 p.m. is free and open to the public, no RSVP required. Art goers can view the exhibit outside of performance times by emailing Daniel Jones, Associate Director of Programming & Partnerships at OZ Arts, at daniel@ozartsnashville.org to make an appointment. To learn more about upcoming exhibits at OZ, please visit ozartsnashville.org.
About Danny Sofa
Hailing from Dayton, Ohio, Danny Sofa is a multifaceted artist with a diverse creative portfolio. Holding a BFA from Miami University (Oxford) with a specialization in oil painting, Danny's artistic prowess extends beyond traditional canvases. In addition to his expertise in oil painting, Danny is a skilled musician, printmaker, and sculptor.
Relocating from Ohio to Nashville, TN in early 2023 marked a pivotal moment in Danny's artistic evolution. Since then, he has broadened his visual language, focusing predominantly on expansive figurative and narrative works that introduce a captivating array of characters. These characters span a spectrum, ranging from human forms and humanoid creatures to whimsical amalgamations of animals and eerie beasts. Within the realms Danny creates, one can observe a striking interplay between ephemeral moments and eternal stillness, providing a captivating narrative within each piece.
Danny Sofa's artistic journey unfolds as a dynamic exploration of creativity, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the vibrant and thought-provoking worlds he brings to life. Explore more at dannybsofa.com.
About OZ Arts Nashville
Founded in 2013 by the Ozgener family, OZ Arts Nashville has quickly established itself as one of the Southeast's most influential and respected producers and presenters focused on the creation and presentation of significant performing and visual artworks by diverse cultural visionaries who are making vital contributions to the evolution of contemporary culture. Through performances, exhibitions, and community events, OZ Arts focuses on producing and presenting the work of local and visiting artists who reflect our diverse society, utilize new artistic forms and technology in creative ways, and provide opportunities for meaningful engagement with audiences, students and cultural and civic leaders. OZ Arts' unique creative warehouse has developed a reputation as a major national and regional laboratory for experimentation and a home for contemporary dance and performance. More than 50,000 audience members have been introduced to adventurous artists from around the world since the organization opened, and hundreds of local and regional artists have used OZ’s 10,000 square-foot warehouse theater to develop new works. For more information, please visit ozartsnashville.org.
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