top of page

STATEMENT
 

In my work, I strive to create a unique form of beauty infused with the uncanny.  I've developed distinctive media practices to delve into vision, space, and the constructed nature of our reality.  Geometric form or pattern often serves as a starting point, from which I transition into a more free-form, colorful, and expressive realm.  This metamorphosis reflects my personal fusion of scientific and artistic modes of thinking.  I'm particularly fascinated by the emergence of intricate, networked forms in nature from the repetition and progressive layering of simpler elements.  

 

Much of my current work involves a multi-step digital practice, physically realized on shaped reflective or pearlescent supports.  The shapes are of  Platonic solids, as viewed two-dimensionally from specific perspectives.  Displayed offset against the wall, the resulting shaped pieces and internal visual cues create a 3-D effect.  Their creation involves my close-up photographic images, including those from nature  and of other art.     I have expanded this work by crafting parts into three-dimensional wall sculptures.    All these heighten our awareness of the constructed nature of our reality while also existing as appealing abstractions.

 

Over several years, I developed another practice involving hand-woven painted string.  This work starts with the grid but becomes a more expressive abstract free-form.  Intriguing moments of odd visual effects

 emerge under close inspection, especially when multiple layers of painting and weaving are incorporated.  I have always been interested in combining my two distinct practices and have been most satisfied by importing details of these weavings into my photography-based digital practice.  I delight in the harmonious integration of flat geometric patterns within another geometric form. 

BIO

​
Laurence Elias had a long, successful career as a medical scientist, but ultimately doubled-down on his lifelong passion for art in 2016:  He embarked upon graduate studies at CCA, graduating 2018 with an MFA in visual art.  He works in multiple media, especially painting, photography, painted string weaving/drawing, and assemblage.  He has exhibited in many group shows, including Some Speechless Thing, Part 2 of the annual BAC members show (2020), The Naked Print at Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts, Providence, RI (2019), and California Open, 15th Annual National Competition, TAG Gallery, Los Angeles (2020).  In 2019 he had a one-person show Reflect/Spirit/Light at Sebastopol Center of the Arts. In 2023 he received an award from the NYC4PA (New York Center for Photographic Art) for a submission to their show Abstract. This year Laurence is an invited guest artist in Field of Vision, a  two-person show at Gearbox Gallery, Oakland (April 25 to May 25). 
 
Laurence's art reflects several recurring personal themes:  He is dazzled by the intricacy of natural structures and processes, built up as they are from layers upon layers of simpler elements, as well as the fleeting beauty of views seen through clear, reflective crystals, the odd distortions seen in overlapping repetitive patterns, and  the magical experience of spatiality that we enjoy despite our two-dimensional retinas.  



RESUMÉ

Born in Brooklyn, NY, he resides and works in Berkeley, CA.
​
​Exhibitions:
​
Two-Person and Solo:

  • Secret Life of Plants, Cedar Street Gallery, Berkeley, CA (2025)

  • Field of Vision, with Sandra Kelch, Gearbox Gallery, Oakland, CA (2024)

  • Reflect/Spirit/Light at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA (2019)

 
Group Shows, Juried or Curated:
2024

  • Sessions 06 and 07, Galeria Azur, Berlin, Germany

  • Cut Paste Create, The Art of Collage at Bedford Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA.  Juried by Rangsook Yoon, Sr. Curator Sarasota Art Museum, and Kimberly Acebo Arteche, Co-Executive Director, Berkeley Art Center

  • Connected at Gallery Route One, Pt. Reyes Station, CA. Juried by TaVee Lee, Gallery Manager, Transmission Gallery, Oakland

2023

  • Within Sight or From Imagination at Gearbox Gallery, Oakland, CA, Juried by Jeremy Morgan, artist

  • Abstract 2023, Awarded Prize (3rd place), New York Center for Photographic Art, https://www.nyc4pa.com/abstract-2020-21and Print Catalogue,  Juried by Darren Ching of Klompching Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

2022

  • Blessed Unrest at Gallery Route One, Point Reyes Station, CA. Juried by Jack Fischer of Jack Fischer Gallery, San Francisco

​2021​

  • Crossing The Divide, at Gallery Route One, Point Reyes Station, CA, Juried by Donna Seager of Seager Gray Gallery, Mill Valley, CA

2020

  • Fragments at ARC Gallery, San Francisco, Juried by Jen Tough, Jen Tough Gallery, Santa Fe, NM

  • Out of the Box, Healdsburg Center for the Arts, Healdsburg, CA

  • California Open, 15th Annual National Competition, TAG Gallery, Los Angeles, CA Juried by Kate Mothes, Curator of Young Space, and Dovetail Magazine

  • Some Speechless Thing (Part II of Annual Members Show) at Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA, Juried from Part I open submissions by Griff Williams, Gallery 16, San Francisco 

2019

  • The Naked Print at Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts, Providence, RI, Juried by Stephen Fisher, Professor, Art Department, Rhode Island College, Providence

  • Art + Movement at Gearbox Gallery, Oakland, CA, Juried by Maria Porges, Artist, Writer, and Faculty member, California College of the Arts, San Francisco

2018

  • Caught in the Fray, 14th Annual Textiles Exhibition, at College Street Gallery, Oakland, CA, Curated by Josh Faught, California College of the Arts

  • California College of the Arts M.F.A. Show at Minnesota Street Project, San Francisco, CA

  • Wave-Forms at Embark Gallery, Oakland, CA, Juried by Leila Grothe, Assoc Curator, Wattis Institute, San Francisco and Baltimore Museum of Art

2017

  • Making Thinking at Hubble Street Gallery, San Francisco, Curated by Shaun O’Dell, California College of the Arts 

  • 5th Annual Juried Art Show at the Piedmont Center for the Art Piedmont, CA

2016

  • Krowsworkers/FARM at Krowswork Gallery, Oakland, CA, Curated by Jasmine Moorhead

2015​

  • Drawn to Line at UCBX Gallery, San Francisco, CA

  • Collect! at Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA

​
Press:

  • Studio Visit (a print periodical) Vol.48, pp 62-65 (2021)  

​
Education:

  • California College of the Arts,  M.F.A., 2018 

  • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Visual Arts, UC Berkeley Extension, San Francisco, 2016 

  • Art Coursework and Workshops (1966-2016):  

    • U.C. Berkeley Extension

    • Stanford University 

    • Stanford University Continuing Studies

    • Kala Institute (Berkeley)

    • University of New Mexico 

    • Harwood Foundation (Albuquerque, NM)  

    • Princeton University

  • Stanford University, M.D., 1972 

  • Princeton University, A.B., 1967

bottom of page