"Talisman," sterling silver, copper and turquoise, by Barbara Murnan.If you go
* What: Opening reception for “Unbolted,” paintings by Coyee Langston and jewelry by Barbara Murnan.* When: 5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2. Exhibit continues through Saturday, Dec. 31.* Where: In-Town Gallery, 26A Frazier Ave.* Admission: Free.* Phone: 423-267-9214.* Website: www.intowngallery.com.
"Moroccan Door," acrylic collage on canvas, by Coyee Langston.Inspired by the musings of a mystical poet, collage painter Coyee Langston and jewelry designer Barbara Murnan have collaborated on the theme "Unbolted" for the December front-wall feature show at In-Town Gallery.
An opening reception is scheduled Friday evening, Dec. 2.
Langston and Murnan have taken their inspiration from 13th-century Persian poet Rumi, to whom this quote is attributed: "Sometimes you hear a voice through the door calling you this turning toward what you deeply love saves you."
For their latest works, the artists say they sought to open their own visceral doors, looking for ways to best express what lies within and pushing themselves in new directions.
"The eye of the artist sees differently," says Langston, a Chattanooga native who managed Art House Gallery for many years. "It breaks through the surface and sees into the inner nature of things. My abstracts have become windows where my imagination can express itself. They evolve slowly as painter and canvas get lost together in a creative place."
This collection of paintings features Langston's signature color, turquoise, and keyhole plates pulled from boxes of "junk," creating pleasing compositions of colors, textures and layers that draw upon memories of nature, childhood and all things ancient.
Murnan, a Wisconsin native and Minnesota transplant, says metalsmithing became her passion after a class on making earrings led to further experimentation. In her current works, turquoise and a variety of other stones, and even some fossils, are framed in intentionally simple but dramatic compositions.
"The bends and swirls of sterling silver and copper create a free-flow element to my bold offerings," she says. "In addition to the coolness of sterling and the warmth of copper, I've incorporated semiprecious stones into my one-of-a-kind pieces."
Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday (until 8 p.m. on first Fridays), 1-5 p.m. Sundays.
"Parisian Door," acrylic collage, by Coyee Langston.