Purple Rain Show at TAC

Our Jurored Art Exhibition...

It's Time for Some Purple Rain.

Theme: There are hundreds of songs with the word “purple” in them.  Purple Rain (Prince) probably is the best known “purple” song… but, did you know that Doris Day record “A Purple Cow”. ​

Purple needs to be the dominant colors in your entry, whether it is an abstract image, a realistic portrayal of a purple flower, or a portrait of Prince, the musician.

Exhibition Run Dates:
September 26th - December 4th 2020 at the Art Center Cooperative Gallery in Regency Square Mall, Jacksonville, Fl.

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About the Show

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​Juror: ​Crystal Floyd 
Studio Director for CoRK Arts District
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​Crystal Floyd is a visual artist and native of Northeast Florida. She works primarily from her studio at CoRK Arts District, serving as Director and handling general operations of the facility. In September of 2019, she received a Certificate in Arts and Culture Strategy through the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy & Practice. Since 2015, Crystal has filled the role of art curator/installer for all three Bold Bean Coffee Roasters locations.  As an avid gardener and naturalist, she regularly teaches terrarium building and other horticulture workshops at various institutions around the City.  In early 2020, she completed a large, immersive permanent art installation and mural project with Shaun Thurston for Pizza Cave Restaurant in Five Points. Her work explores themes of nature, storytelling, and adaptive reuse, several of her pieces are currently on display at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.

1st Place - Paul Ladnier “Purple Mascara” ​ 

​What the Juror had to say:

The song and concept behind ‘Purple Rain’ brings up thoughts of despair, hopelessness and the solitary experience of navigating or facing complex emotional turmoil.  I tried to keep the spirit of the theme in mind when viewing the submissions for this show while also looking for technical proficiency in execution.   After taking time with all of the works and stepping back to appreciate how they fit into the exhibition as a whole, I felt that “Purple Mascara” channeled the loneliness of the painting’s subject, drawing the audience in and creating a sense of mystery as to the source of her pain. The process behind the painting reinforces the subject matter; the brushstrokes, marks, heavy impasto, scratches, splatters and drips contribute to the message while also relaying the passion of the artist. My attention kept turning to her so that is why I chose this painting.  

Second Place: Corey Moortgat “Artemis”   ​

​What the Juror had to say:
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This piece was a front runner for me for many of the reasons mentioned above.  I felt that the artist was able to portray emotion and solitude in their painting, alluding to a deeper narrative beyond what is apparent at first glance.  There is strength and defiance in the eyes of the subject, which contrasts in intensity to the loose and transparent layers that surround. The colors chosen by the artist also hit the theme’s target. Prince felt the color purple symbolized the end of the world. To him, the song “Purple Rain” was about finding divine guidance during Armageddon. In one of his interviews, he said “When there’s blood in the sky – red and blue = purple. Purple rain pertains to the end of the world and being with the one you love and letting your faith guide you through the purple rain.”  This idea resonated in “Artemis”, one gets the impression that determination and persistence underlies her melancholy appearance.

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Third Place: William Garcia “Rain Hard”   ​

What the Juror had to say:
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​I found myself revisiting this painting, feeling more connected to it each time. Sometimes, even in a crowded room, you can feel more alone than ever. This piece conveyed the heaviness of carrying burdens you believe are beyond the comprehension of those closest to you, despite their efforts to break down the walls you have constructed. The artist has an expressive and unique point of view, the subject seems frustrated by their inability to overcome feelings of isolation and distracted by the impact it has on their perception of self.

Honorable Mention - Sean Lofton “Dystopian Teapot”  

What the Juror had to say:

​The construction on this piece was superb, my first reaction was to smile and move in for closer inspection, which did not disappoint.  In my opinion, the finishing, colors chosen, proportion and attention to detail deserved recognition. It takes skill and inspiration to make something look as effortless as this piece. I also thought it was a clever, tongue-in-cheek interpretation of the theme of the show, as the “dystopian” teapot itself is a vessel for water and echoes the symbolism of the color purple that is present in the song.

Honorable Mention - Patrick Mahoney “Isaias”  

What the Juror had to say:

​​There is a brooding atmosphere and sense of foreboding in this piece, where one has to make the decision of “fight or flight”. I have often found myself walking along the beach when a storm rolls in from the sea.  The environment changes, the temperature drops and electricity fills the air, tapping into a primal connectivity with nature. I felt this piece captured the subtlety of those moments and I appreciated the softness achieved with the use of pastels.