"Mabi Ponce de Leon: Fertile Ground"
2004-01-01 until 2004-01-31
Ohio Art League
Columbus, OH, USA United States of America

The Ohio Art League is pleased to present the work of Mabi Ponce de Leon in the January 2004 MCE, Fertile Ground. When she was pregnant with her daughter, Mabi  Ponce de Leon stopped painting larger oils in favor of smaller, less toxic mixed media materials.  This, along with an exploration of her recent experiences, has lead to more intimate images about the physical and emotional changes involved in motherhood.  Ponce de Leon’s mixed media works explore mother-goddess, nature-based images as they relate to personal experiences.  Suggesting a dialogue with mother earth principles, her palette and textures allude to natural forms.  The lines and textures are reminiscent of rich, furrowed earth.  The shapes in her work evoke seed pods, shells, and other life-giving forms.

Ponce de Leon writes, "I see my work as a place to house my spiritual feelings... those which I cannot describe with words, but only with sensations.  These images—like dreams—tell of extraordinary journeys... epics without logical plots, involving soul and its `housing'.  The iconic motifs I use reference different cultures—reinforcing my belief that people have a common ancestry and carry a common palette of subconsciously imbedded symbols.  I hope to instill a sense of `spirituality' in viewers, without imposing `religion' on them. My paintings seek the soul--the temple that is attainable within ourselves.

"As I work, I develop image series that explore various concepts. In the Matrix series, I combine the idea of origins with images of pregnancy and birth.  The Latin meaning of the term matrix relates to the womb, the place of origin, the mold, the mother.  With the birth of my daughter, I have recently experienced the cycle of creation.  Such a powerful experience provides a wealth of insight into the idea of Woman/ Goddess as creator of life. "

Mabi Ponce de Leon is a long-time member and current Board member of the Ohio Art League. In addition to her work as an artist, Mabi is also an art teacher the Bexley High School.

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for the State of Ohio

Other Important Exhibitions in Ohio