Irvine Contemporary Art Artists

Phil Nesmith


Themes: time, environmentalism, referencing art history
The stoppage of time in Nesmith's photographs shows its (time) fleeting nature. His images, taken in the present, come to the viewer in as fragmented memories of a time seemingly far removed. The above images come from the series Flow, a series of wet collodion photographs on black glass plates taken on the Gulf Coast in June 2010, presents timely images from the BP oil spill.

Melissa Ichiuji




Themes: Gender/Sexuality, growth/journey/transformation, identity formation
Melissa's mixed media sculptures introduce themes of sexuality and identity. They have a narrative quality in how the figures interact as clusters or as individuals with the space. The smaller figures pull the viewer closer and the larger figures confront viewers directly. Using cloth and thread Melissa mixes the charm of childhood dolls with themes of adolescents and womanhood.
Melissa on her work:
"Lately I have been making dolls that act out fantasies relating to power, sexuality, repressed violence, and guilt. My figures have an otherworldly quality and are infused with joy, curiosity, action, and freedom. I use rich colorful fabrics and tactile materials to employ a whimsical aesthetic associated with childhood that plays against the seriousness of the themes"

Ron English

Themes: more overt political theme/ social responsibility

"My art allows me to explore dark impulses and be bad without feeling guilty about it the next day," says English. "Plus it’s more fun than having a real job."