William Lesch: A Continuous Trail | Opening Reception with the Artists

Reception with the Artist
Thursday, February 22, 2024
5:30 – 8 pm | Exhibit House
Reception is FREE and Open to the Public

WILLIAM LESCH | A CONTINUOUS TRAIL

For the past 45 years Tucson and William Lesch have grown together. It can be argued that there is no one around Tucson that knows, understands, and appreciates Tucson’s beauty better than Lesch. Calling Tucson home since the mid-seventies, the place has been a major factor in the development of Lesch’s distinctive aesthetic and skill set. An encyclopedic knowledge of photography – its history, science, techniques, and processes – pushes him through every trailblazing twist in turn he creates – on purpose or by accident.

Lesch is never idle, he is always moving, shifting gears, exploring new materials, ideas, techniques, equipment, technology, and subjects. Lesch is never simply ‘taking’ a picture – he is ‘MAKING’ an image, creating something that has an otherness to it in terms of concept and intent and an objectness to it in terms of its presence and physicality. A Continuous Trail explores Lesch’s career – where he’s been, where he is now, and where he’s going.

with

GERRY QUOTSKUYVA

Gerry Quotskuyva is a member of the Bear Strap Clan from the Second Mesa Village of Shungopavi. His Hopi name, Lomahongva, means “reed standing tall and healthy”. Gerry started carving ice for banquet centerpieces when he worked as a chef before he tried his hand at Katsina carving. By his mid-30s, he began pursuing art as a profession and found that a passion had been awakened inside him. Initially working as a carver, he began painting 18 months later. Today he also creates works in bronze. Gerry’s attention to detail and unique interpretation of traditional Hopi symbolism reflects his rich and expressive heritage.

“My work transcends the traditional craft of Hopi Katsina carving. When I became an artist, I chose to pursue the creation of a body of work interpreting the Katsinam as a fine art form… As my creations continue to evolve, more of the cultural way of life and my environmental concerns are being incorporated into my sculptures. As a result, I am feeling an even stronger desire to create with a message.”

and

DAVID ADIX

David Adix is the fifth and final artist to exhibit his work in Tohono Chul’s 2023-2024 Entry Gallery Project Space Season. Known for combining traditional and non-traditional materials with found objects to create unique collages and assemblage work, the ever-versatile Adix will show a series of oil pastels inspired by The Colour of Spring.

“I found myself exploring the ranch lands and rolling hills of Sonoita, Patagonia, and Chiricahua National Monument, finding many off road Jeep trails, remote wilderness areas, and little known hiking trails. I resonated with this land, these regions, and at times I felt I had crossed into sacred terrain. I was transfixed by the landscape: color, texture, light, the cactus and creosote, the mesquite, and the palo verde. I am still pushed to the edge with the explosion in spring of the glorious yellows of the palo verde.”

Guests can enjoy a musical performance by Salvador Duran in the newly renovated Sami’s Courtyard (formerly known as the Spanish Colonial Garden) and a cash bar from the Garden Bistro!