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Perceptual Alchemy

A A A Comments (18) By Marya Summers Thursday, Sep 13 2007

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Artist Sharon Huff believes that everything happens for a reason and that we can see "beauty and perfection" even in the most tragic circumstances. Versace's murder, Princess Diana's fatal car crash, the devastation of 9/11 — these are all challenges for us to perceive the "beauty in something horrific." A frame shop near the beach may seem like an unlikely place to receive metaphysical guidance, but the artist and frame-shop owner is more than happy to explain both her process and inspiration for "Perceptual Alchemy." Using news photos of these events, the artist zooms in to find a new perspective, abstracting elements to depict in acrylic paintings. From the Versace crime scene ("his last design in his life's blood"), for instance, Huff focuses in on a portion of the steps where his blood has run; the patterns take on an architectural quality ("like ancient Italian ruins"), explored in a larger version in crimson and ochre and a smaller version in violet and aqua. The same process is applied to the burning World Trade Center tower, which, when abstracted and rendered in a wetter application of acrylic and pastel, looks like an impressionistic floral study. Also demonstrating that it's all in how you frame things — both literally and figuratively — Huff transforms beach litter into angelic art, which she showcases in expensive frames under museum-quality glass. Whether created of twisted metal and roofing paper or of cigarette butts and bottle caps, the angels serve as a suggestion that even garbage can be divine. (Through September 30 at Frame 'n Art Gallery, 263 Commercial Blvd., Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Call 954-267-9202.)

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John Carpenter 10/18/2007 12:20:00 AM

Artist Sharon Huff is incredible. Her miraculous thought process has brought a calm, rational understanding of tragedy. Her art is provocative, stimulating as well as being the genesis for acceptance.

Sharon Dash 10/04/2007 6:13:00 PM

Congratulations, Sharon on the wonderful review of your artwork. Your perspective and your unique form of expression sounds very special and most interesting. Glad you are getting rave reviews and hope you get lots of collectors and buyers too!

Don & Sue Walker 10/04/2007 1:58:00 AM

Great article. I wish they had shown more pics of your work, but the Versace piece in the article was very provocative. Congratulations.

Diane Berman 10/02/2007 9:11:00 PM

I thought that was a really great article!

Anne & Randy Levine 10/02/2007 9:06:00 PM

Anne and I really enjoyed the article. You have a interesting, and unique perspective of finding Art in tragedy. You are very talented.

Norma Mitchell 10/02/2007 7:52:00 PM

Nice article!! You're getting recognition and you're not even dead. How wonderful.

Ginger Metraux 09/29/2007 10:39:00 PM

I think the concept is quite a great brainstorm! Yay! Good one! Good art makes one think and feel something - very useful for these overwhelming times that can trigger numbness and withdrawal. Go for it.

Danielle Lanteigne, l�e-vitrin 09/29/2007 9:40:00 PM

Congrats! I've been seeing you all over the place. I hope to get to your opening on Oct 12.

Sandy by the Sea Realty 09/29/2007 7:21:00 PM

I loved the article! Boy are you smart! Your ability to see beyond what other people see is amazing! Sandy

Susan Tabin 09/27/2007 7:14:00 PM

Sharon Huff�s art exalts the mind and the spirit to a pure positive place where beauty and grace can be found regardless of situation or circumstance. Thank you for art that is both creative and conscious.

Linnie 09/23/2007 10:33:00 PM

I was so proud to read your review!!! I loved it!! You are so talented - and this is so up your alley. I thought the writer captured your true intent and there was nothing preachy or wierd about it - (although I don't know if I would recognize wierd for I am rather biased toward the more colorful expressions life has to offer). Love you bunches and HOORAY FOR THE HUFFSTER!!!! Maybe someday you'll be a famous Art/Political Spiritual/Expressionist - ya think? Ask and it is Given. Yes indeed!

honey boutique 09/21/2007 12:55:00 AM

Your perspective of these tragic events allows us to perceive a more abstract interpretation of life's beauty...Keep on inspiring us!

Lorraine 09/18/2007 7:06:00 PM

I am not at all surprised at Sharon's amazing ability to create 'beauty' in even those things we would never connect to it, as in these examples. I have had the pleasure of working with her before and she is not just an artist, in the truest sense of the word, but a perfectionist as well. Her vision to transform 'nothing into something' is unique and unparalleled. Sharon not only has a special gift but IS a gift, for all of us to treasure!

Erika 09/17/2007 9:44:00 PM

Only Sharon Huff could take lemon rinds and make a picturseque of lemon aid. What a "Beautiful Mind".

Melva Eaton 09/16/2007 5:22:00 PM

These crazy events we all have seen are turned into something only an artist with an inside beauty would transform and makes us think of something positive and see something beyond the tragedy. It sure makes you think something else is outthere.

Phillip Marcus 09/16/2007 3:35:00 PM

Sharon Huff has also done wonderful paintings of local landmarks such as Aruba and the now-gone Mack's Groves. She is a south Florida treasure herself.

Susan Ford Collins 09/15/2007 6:28:00 PM

Sharon has a wonderful way of transforming the ordinary into the inspiring and extraordinary. A skill we all need to remind ourselves we have in these hurried, harried times. What a shift her perspective makes!

Florence 09/13/2007 7:01:00 PM

Just wanted to mention that after viewing some of these pieces, most specifically the art made from street litter, my vision seems to have changed. During my everyday running around, I find myself taking a moment, looking a little harder and actually seeing things in a softer light. And I like this change.