(l to r): Nocturnal Revolution - Ralph Joachim, Sunset Curl - Marilyn Kuksht, #53 - Cecil C. Childress

Opening reception July 8th, 6-9pm SOMArts Cultural Center’s Main Gallery Exhibitions and Programs presents “Totally Unrealistic: the art of abstraction,” an investigation into the concepts and forms of abstract artwork by Cecil C. Childress, Ralph Joachim, and Marilyn Kuksht, curated by Ralph Joachim. Sculptor Kuksht transforms iron and steel into twisting and arching abstract forms that represent a massive history of American post-minimal metal sculpture. The work of Childress and Joachim, both painters, provide counterpoints to the weighty metal works of Kuksht, enticing the viewer to consider the concept, diversity, value, and meaning in abstract art today. SOMArts Curator and Gallery Director Justin Hoover commented that the artwork featured in Totally Unrealistic, “highlights a dynamic group of artists representing a larger community ethos, one founded in the 60’s and continuing today. It invites one to explore the depth and range of their own response to a world based on color, texture and form.” Totally Unrealistic was selected for the Main Gallery by SOMArts’ previous gallery director, Betsie Miller-Kusz, and highlights local talent such as Marilyn Kuksht who maintains a studio situated in the historic Hunter’s Point Shipyards, one of San Francisco’s largest art studio facilities. Kuksht is a longtime member of ArtSpan and Open Studios, showing her work with this organization since 1992. Detailed directions by bus, car and bicycle are available below or at http://www.somarts.org/about/directions/