MERMAY at Modern Eden
Featuring Martin Hsu’s ‘Ningyo’
Opening Reception: Saturday May 12, 2018, 6 pm–9 pm
Exhibition Dates: May 12–June 1, 2018
Modern Eden Gallery is thrilled to let mermaids take over the gallery this May resulting in MERMAY! We’ve taken over the popular hashtag and have asked our gallery artists to do their best rendition of the mermaid theme.
Featuring the artwork of Redd Walitzki, Kai Carpenter, Kelly McKernan, Sheri DeBow, Chuck Sperry, Glenn Arthur, Stephanie Law, Megan Buccere, Mary Syring, Jackie Gallagher, Kindra Nikole, Lara Dann, Marie Larkin, Jel Ena, Sybiline, Primary Hughes, Tracy Lewis, Julie Filipenko, Marie Eve-Proteau, Vahge, Paolo Petrangeli, Richard Ahnert, Amandalynn, Aunia Kahn, David Natale, Pippa McManus, Phillip Hua, Jessica So Ren Tang, Jessica Dalva, Michael Ramstead, Kurtis Rykovich, Erich J. Moffitt, Avery Palmer, Rich Pellegrino, and Sarah Stieber.
San Francisco-based artist and illustrator Martin Hsu will have a featured installation of new works of his ephemeral creatures – the goldfish mermaid on view for Ningyo 人魚 (human fish) on the back gallery wall.
The goldfish originated from the wild over 2000 years ago. They were kept by The Emperor as imperial treasures, raised by the rich and noble as valuable prizes, and closely guarded for their metallic scales – a symbol of good fortune and prosperity.
Martin Hsu’s goldfish mermaids are a personification of these auspicious keepings. They are great maternal spirits in our lives, blessed with grace and strength, looking after the past, present, and beyond.
The mermaids exist neither in air nor water, but in a quiet place Martin refers to as metta – a place within ourselves filled with benevolence, warmth, and loving-kindness. It’s where goodwill flourishes and happiness resides.
Like Mother Nature, goldfish mermaids command immense power. They are protectors of our essence represented by flora blooming in metta. Such flora includes Chinese flowers of the Four Seasons: orchid in the Spring, symbol of integrity and nobility; lotus in the Summer, symbol of purity and humility; chrysanthemum in the Autumn, symbol of longevity and vitality; and plum blossom in the Winter, symbol of courage and resilience. Goldfish mermaids are celestial guardians who effortlessly patrol this place to keep it safe from harm.
In an infinite universe, goldfish mermaids are solar flares, glistening moonlight, and shooting stars. They are symbols of beautiful blessings in abundance and well-wishes transcending time and space. They remind us to be at peace in stillness, to reflect upon nature, and to look for love within.
Modern Eden Gallery welcomes the public on the evening of May 12, 2018 for an artist’s reception and exhibition debut. Featured artist Martin Hsu and select participating Mermay artists will be in attendance. For press inquiries or sales, please contact Gallery Director Kim Larson kim@moderneden.com.
The exhibition will be on display through June 1, 2018 and is free and open to the public.
Modern Eden Gallery is located at 801 Greenwich St. in San Francisco’s historic North Beach neighborhood. Founded in June 2010 by local artists Bradley Platz and Kim Larson, the gallery features monthly exhibitions of established and emerging artists. The gallery’s contemporary aesthetic ranges from realism to surrealism with a strong focus on illustrative painting and representational sculpture.
For details and updates visit: www.moderneden.com
General Information: Please email info@moderneden.com
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