Thursday, October 22, 2009

Diverse art on display through Nov. 11

"Octopus" by Chris Ayers
"Genesis" by Maureen Costa

Chris Ayers, a Los Angeles character designer, and Maureen Costa, an Arizona sculptor, will display their work through Nov. 11 at Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries.

Ayers’ film credits for character design include “Star Trek XI,” “X-Men: The Last Stand,” “Fantastic Four,” “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk” and “Men in Black 2.” In the spring of 2005, Ayers was diagnosed with leukemia, a type of blood cancer. One year later, he started a sketchbook and drew one animal each day for a year to help with his healing process. His SMU show, “The Daily Zoo,” will include a variety of these sketches — now published in the book, “The Daily Zoo: Keeping the Doctor at Bay with a Drawing a Day.”

In “Contemplation,” Costa will display work that serves as a metaphor about the religious imagination, reincarnation and the changing states of consciousness. Her pieces, carved from basswood, have a bulbous shape, from which she is able to create a “moment of blissful liberation.” Costa says that humanity is in a constant state of changing and metamorphosis, and she aspires to reflect that change in her work.

A closing reception will be held 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at the galleries. Ayers will be present for the show’s closing to sign his book, which will be available for purchase. A portion of the proceeds from “The Daily Zoo” is used to support cancer-related charities and research.

Admission is free and open to the public, and gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. For more information, call Ext. 1652.