Exhibit showcases White’s talents
Published 9:53 am Thursday, September 14, 2017
Pictured is “The Joy of Physics,” by Jim White, who had a solo exhibit at the J fergeson gallery on Friday. The periodic table symbols line the edges of the portrait, and the equation for relativity is on the inside of the border.
Pictured is Jim White’s “The Prophet.” White said his artwork is often whimsical and details his religious background.
From left, Cindy, Lucas and Jason Tueller, of Floyd, traveled to Farmville to see artist and musician Jim White last Friday.
Deborah and Mark Kernohan enjoy an evening at J fergeson gallery.
A reception celebrating the art and talents of musician and artist Jim White took place at the j fergeson gallery on North Main Street on Friday.
The gallery, titled “Postcards from the Junkyards of Heaven,” offers a whimsical take on religion and history. Using everything from tools, household items and even stuffed animals, White uses his artwork as a way to express himself separate from his music, which he says often explores darker and more depressing themes.
“I make them as an outlet. They are sort of whimsical and funny,” White said of his art.
The exhibit will be on display through Oct. 28.
Pieces from the gallery also bring a collection of unrelated items to tell a new story, gallery owner Jared Fergeson said.
As an example, the piece “Miss Eva” includes a letter written on a chalkboard and features a portrait of an elderly woman. The letter addressed to a Miss Eva is dated from the year 1990, but the portrait appears to be from a much earlier time.
Fergeson said the seeming random pieces are connected “to create a story.”
White, from Athens, Georgia, said he was contacted by Fergeson about possibly doing an art show.
Last Thursday, White also performed at Longwood University.
White said he looks for ways to give back through his artwork. One way he’s giving back through this exhibit is by a series of pieces with a portrait of the late country music star Glen Campbell, who died in August.
“(The pieces use a) drawing of him someone gave me a long time ago,” White said.
The proceeds from purchases of these pieces will benefit a memorial fund for Campbell from the BrightFocus Foundation, which supports Alzheimer’s Disease research and education.
Fergeson, also a fan of White’s music, has learned much about White’s visual artwork. Fergeson said he was happy to have White at the gallery and for members of the public to interact with him.
“I thought it would make a good show at the gallery,” Fergeson said.
The event not only brought members of the Farmville community, but those from other parts of Virginia as well.
The Tueller family — Jason, Cindy and young Lucas — came from Floyd County, located in the southwestern portion of Virginia, to see White.
Jason said he has been an enormous fan of White’s music and was excited to hear he would be a few hours from home.
“I was so stoked to see he was going to be in the area,” Jason said.
