Middletown >> Wood sculptor Marcus Maria Jung will be featured Saturday during an “Art Talk” presentation at the Middletown Art Center (MAC), where he’ll discuss the inspiration, development and refinement of his work processes.
The MAC series spotlights artists and aficionados who exhibit and speak about painting, sculpture, photography, music, film and other media, detailing themes, techniques and influences.
“My sculptures and installations function as a reflection of our relationship with nature and as a portal to connect to the physical and metaphysical world,” Jung said.
He was born in Germany, but has lived in California since 1998. His art studio on Cobb Mountain perished in the Valley Fire, but many of his pieces, created from local forests, survived. Many new ones have been fashioned from the rubble.
“Jung’s works, known as ‘Tree Souls,’ have been polished to glistening beauty, enhancing their natural contours. But the true wonder is in touching them; one can feel their healing energy,” says Lisa Kaplan, of MAC. “Holding a small piece induces a state of deep relaxation. The larger pieces are like totems, bringing the awe of nature into our space.”
The artist recently returned his “Circle of Elders,” a Stonehenge-like tree installation that was originally created for the EcoArts Sculpture Walk, to Lake County. It was the focus of a sunset ceremony on a Malibu beach, hosted by a local gallery there.
Jung will also be screening his photographs and discussing his influences drawn from his travels around the world during his presentation from 6:30 to 8 p.m. There is a $5 suggested donation. Light refreshments will be available.
Several Tree Souls sculptures are part of MAC’s current exhibit, “MULTI LINGUAL.” The exhibit is open Fridays noon to 6 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. until Aug. 14.
MAC is an arts nonprofit, to learn more visit www.middletownartcenter.org, call (707) 809-8118 or email middletownartcenter@gmail.com.
