Exhibitions

PAUL BRAXTON, JAVAN CARTE COLLIE, BRITTNAY LIPSCOMB: THE PARADOX OF PERCEPTION

Fischman Gallery / 133 N. Commerce St. , Johnson City, TN January 5 - 27th

Paul Braxton, Javan Carte Collie, Brittnay Lipscomb

Fischman Gallery announces the first show of 2024 will include photography by Paul Braxton, paintings and drawings by Javan Carte Collie, and jewelry by Brittnay Lipscomb. The exhibit, entitled The Paradox of Perception, will open Friday, January 5, with a reception from 6:30-9 p.m. The gallery is located at 133 N Commerce St, Johnson City.

“Perception is utterly baffling,” wrote Robert Pepperell in The Conversation (https://theconversation.com/art-science-and-the-paradoxes...). “We can precisely describe the biological structure of eyes and brains. We can measure the electrochemical impulses and electrical fields generated by neurons. But reason fails us when we attempt to explain how these physical processes cause all the vivid colours, textures and objects that appear in visual perception. In fact, perception is so perplexing that we can find ourselves pushed to the edge of rational thought – and beyond – when we try to understand it.” Javan Collie found this thought intriguing enough to suggest The Paradox of Perception as the title for the show at Fischman Gallery. It is integral to the exhibit that the three participating artists use perception and paradox in three different ways.

Javan Collie has been legally blind since birth. He paints and draws with blurred vision. “I create for myself and for the love of Art, no one else,” he says. “It is my escape [vehicle]. To travel to unseen and distant lands, uncharted parts of the universe, visualizing and creating the unknown—this is my creative perspective, looking at a world through an unfocused lens.” Collie’s inspiration comes from the years he’s spent watching the world around him go by while he stood in the mist and stared. His imagination has been his vehicle to expand on his limited perception to create not only imaginative abstractions, but to put reality on paper as well.

Paul Braxton has used the camera to focus his and the camera’s perception since he was a child. Paul’s fascination with nature carries through his work, using nature’s colorful presentation to fill his photographs with the invitation to step into the photo and live in the experience. From scenes of fall’s color palette to landscapes at sunset to close-ups of flowers in bloom, Braxton asks the viewer to perceive nature from the detailed to the expansive.

“On this artistic journey every piece tells a story of joy and connection,” says Brittnay Lipscomb about her art. “Before anything I’m a mother of four beautiful and creative children. As an artist, I find joy in crafting unique earrings and paintings that not only express my creativity but also bring happiness to those who wear my art.” Brittnay’s passion is to create work that resonates with emotions and contributes to positive experiences.

The Paradox of Perception is on exhibit for the month of January. Opening reception is Friday, January 5, 2024. Fischman Gallery, free and open to the public, is located at 133 N Commerce St, Johnson City. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m.