“Like the direct carver Raoul Hague ‘s my mentor ‘s I am an immigrant of Armenian descent from the Middle East. We both attended the Arts Students League and later, after successful careers, distanced ourselves from the NYC art scene to live a simple and contemplative life solely focused on our work in the Hudson Valley, carving local wood and stone. It was Hague who introduced me to %u218the religion of direct carving ‘ to which I have dedicated my life for the past 38 years.
My work has led me to create and experiment with three-dimensional tools/sculptures for facilitating transferences. My overarching goal is to transcend borders, to help shape a new paradigm of commonality. The challenge is to overcome the baggage of the past, through a fresh actualization of the four disciplines embraced by the creative process: philosophy, spirituality, science and art. It is my conviction that the purpose and highest aspiration of the artist is the evolution of the human’species.”
New Arts Gallery is pleased to be presenting “Annotations 12.4” new bronzes by Kardash Onnig opening on April 19. This exhibition is a tribute to the 12 visionaries who have inspired the artist on his path to universality. Among these are Alexander Calder, Henry David Thoreau, Rumi, Raoul Hague and others. The works in this exhibition are a summation of his journey, a reflection of new ideas and an ongoing exploration of three-dimensional tools as a means of communication. These pieces are meticulously crafted and extraordinarily conceived.
Kardash Onnig is more than an artist. He is an inventor. He is an author, a toymaker, an alchemist, a sculptor, and an activist, who by example breaks down the barriers of tribal limitations.
As a child, Kardash was surrounded by rich traditions of ancient cultures in a craft oriented community. His participation in corporate America in the 1960’s revolved around his unique concepts and ideas of the world that were adopted from his youth. He became a leader in the world of multi media presentations, designing the exhibition for American Express at the NY World’s Fair and creating “Confluence USA,” the U.S. Pavilion at the Americas Fair in San Antonio. Onnig’s fresh world views and adventurous explorations singled him out as a new visionary.
In 1970 he left the corporate world to dedicate his life to direct carving and the development of a universal alphabet.
“The inspiration for my %u218tools’ comes from the Quaternary, the principle of four that is universally prevalent in all cultures. The quaternary is a celebration of primal phenomena, like the four elemen’s that support our lives. The attributes of the four are the ingredients of our being. Called by different names, represented by different symbols at different times, combined in different proportions, the four are a consistent theme in evolving humanity’s consciousness. The Quaternary is a metaphor for crossing borders, for reaching out to the other. It is, in fact, an open invitation to become the other.”
This exhibition continues until May 18. There will be an opening reception for the artist on April 19 from 3 to 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend. For more information contact the gallery at 860-567-5015 or visit online at www.newartsgallery.com. Gallery hours are Friday to Monday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at 513 Maple Street in Litchfield, Conn
For more information about Kardash, visit www.kardashonnig.com.
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