NOW SHOWING at sabrosa cafe & gallery

JIM FARRELL, Core Samples

Did you ever play that game when you were a kid in school where you would sit in a circle and whisper a word into the ear of the kid next to you? That kid would then whisper the word into the ear of the kid next to them, and on it would go with the word being whispered to fifteen or twenty kids. The final kid would then say the word out loud – and nine times out of ten it would be completely different from the starting word. So maybe the starting word would be “porcupine” and after it was whispered around the circle it would be “garbage pail.” This is kind of what it feels like when I am making art. I “whisper” my feelings into the air (not literally) and what comes out on my canvas is a surprise rife with hidden communication.

I try to imagine a communication between a distant past or future and the present. The idea of core samples is especially interesting to me because in a core sample you are taking a piece of earth that has been drilled into and examining it visually – and coming to conclusions about the past based on the make-up of the core sample. In my work I try to psychically pull core samples out of the past (often times my own personal past) and present them for interpretation in my art.

I work with plaster, found objects, old photographs and acrylic paint to create what I hope is a compelling “core sample” for the viewer’s perusal.

About Jim

Jim is a native New Yorker and a lifelong theatre artist having appeared in over 30 productions in New York City, including three years as Inspector Ascher in the Off Broadway Production of PERFECT CRIME. He moved to Milwaukee in 2008 for a job in the development department at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre and has been living here ever since. For ten years Jim’s “non-acting” gig was working in the darkrooms of various Color Labs throughout NYC, including several years at Ultimate Image and Bill Neuman Photographics - where he had the privilege of printing the work of Cindy Sherman, Andre Serrano and Robert Mapplethorpe. He credits his years working in this capacity for shaping his aesthetic for color and composition.

In Milwaukee Jim has worked at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Skylight Music Theatre, and produced eleven full productions as the Artistic Director of Splinter Group with his wife the teacher and director Niffer Clarke. He is also a guitar player and has played with Flu Like Symptoms and toured with Indonesian Junk. When not in the studio or playing the guitar in his basement, he serves as the Development Director at Hope House of Milwaukee.

information for artists

Interested in showing your work at Sabrosa Cafe & Gallery?

We are currently accepting proposals for solo exhibitions at our Bay View location.

The Gallery

There are three large walls (16', 12', and 19') with studs spaced every foot to hang your work. There are outlets available for video pieces. Numerous track lighting fixtures can light your pieces to your desire.

What We Offer

Each artist gets a two-month exhibition in our gallery. Toward the beginning of the exhibition Sabrosa hosts a special artist reception on a Monday evening called Sabrosa After Dark. The event features a meet-and-greet with the artist, a brief keynote address by the artist, live music, a wine tasting, and small plates and cocktails served by Sabrosa's staff.

Proposal Requirements

Proposals for shows in our gallery will include the following requirements:

Approximately 12-18 pieces ready to hang or display depending on size
A detailed concept of the show including a title (if practical), artist's statement about the philosophy and intent of the show, retail prices of each work, and photos of each work (links to online portfolios are acceptable)
Resume (PDF or link to online resume)

Financial & Liability Information

Sabrosa takes a 15% commission for works sold during exhibition in our gallery. Any pieces sold during the exhibition will remain in the gallery until the conclusion of the exhibition, unless suitable arrangements can be made for substitute pieces. All work is displayed at your risk. While the probability of damage occurring is extremely unlikely, we do recommend that your pieces are insured, listing Sabrosa Cafe & Gallery as a rider on your policy.

How to Make Your Proposal

Send an email with all of the proposal requirements listed above to Frank Sanchez at info /at/ sabrosa dot cafe with the subject ARTIST PROPOSAL: (Your Name). If you prefer to mail your proposal, our address is 3216 S Howell Ave, Milwaukee WI 53207.