About Jamie McHugh

Nature-Being-Art
Contemporary Contemplative Art by Jamie McHugh
May 1 - June 24, 2009

May 27, 7-9pm – Experiential Workshop at FUUSF

“Whenever we touch nature we get clean. People who have got dirty through too much civilization take a walk in the woods, or a bath in the sea. They shake off the fetters and allow nature to touch them. It can be done within or without. Entering the unconscious, entering yourself through dreams, is touching nature from the inside and this is the same thing, things are put right again.”   - C.G. Jung

I have been a photographer, dancer and community arts educator for the past 35 years. Both dance and photography have taught me to be still while in motion, and to be in motion while still. The attention needed in both arts is a spiritual discipline of being more present and awake to life, which has been my door into the numinous. The photographs capture the life force I encounter daily at the water’s edge, where this dynamic balance between movement and stillness - found in both the body and in nature – reveals itself so dramatically.

My focus is to alter public urban spaces with nature by presenting “nature being art” - not as figurative landscape but as contemporary contemplative art. By shooting in the last hour of daylight – “the golden hour”, I can showcase the naturally rich colors, textures and forms of the planet.

My digital images are minimally altered, then printed on Fuji archival glossy paper, mounted on aluminum with a recessed back frame and covered with a UV-protective lacquer so the image can float freely and transport you to another place.

Jamie McHugh is a somatic movement educator, wellness coach and fine art photographer. He teaches and exhibits throughout the US. Recent California exhibits have been at Alta Bates Hospital, The Bay Model, The Claremont, and The Sea Ranch Lodge. See more of Jamie’s work at http://www.naturebeingart.org

About The Art Committee And King's Gallery

The Art Committee serves our Society by arranging a broad and diverse range of art exhibits in the Kings' Gallery and encouraging participation in the arts by members of the congregation. The King's Gallery is an alternative show-space which has been serving the art community of the Bay Area for many years. It represents a "win-win" situation, providing artists with two large rooms to show their work while also enhancing the environment of the First Unitarian Universalist Church's environments.The committee also serves as an outreach to the community at large and brings in income to the church in the form of donations made to the church in the form of a percentage of the sales of art work.

The King's Gallery displays artwork in the Starr King and Martin Luther King rooms. Shows can be seen during regular church access hours, weekdays 9am to 4pm and Sundays 9am to 2:30pm. It may be necessary to ring the bell at the main entry and ask for the lights to be turns on in the gallery rooms if there are no other events in the church's buildings at your chosen time. Please also note that viewing may be restricted when the rooms are reserved and in use for other events. You can call the church office to determine an available viewing time by calling (415) 776-4580.

About Showing In The King's Gallery

The selection of artists for show in the King's Gallery is based on professionalism and individuality of expression. Once a year, late in summer, there is an unjuried "Open Group Show" for members and friends of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco. This show is open to all wall-hung media artists and includes artists of all ages and skill levels, from children to "old pros." Many of our one and two person shows are subsequently chosen from this event. Check hallway bulletin boards at FUUSF in July for more info on the group show.

Artists interested in showing can also apply directly at the monthly Art Committee meeting. Contact Jan Bernard at (415) 334-1484 to schedule an opportunity to apply.