Ernie Marjoram Big Fish
September 22 — October 16
Big Fish opens September 22, 2021 at TAG Gallery, 5458 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036. TAG is open 1pm-7pm, Wed-Sun
Ernie Marjoram’s current exhibition BIG FISH features original oil paintings of koi in their natural element, water. Initially attracted by the elegant movement and bold colors of the physical body of the fish and by the abstract surface reflections and light refractions of water, Ernie came to learn and appreciate the powerful symbolism the koi represents as an example of perseverance and strength in overcoming life struggles. Their colors are explosive, mesmerizing and carry their own unique individual attributions: black koi for masculinity, red ones for intense love and passion, blue to symbolize fertility and peace, and white ones representing the powerful transformation of life through rebirth. The koi move fluidly in water and create a vortex of bright, colorful energy so that the viewer has no choice but watch ecstatically as the fish dance effortlessly in ever changing pictorial compositions. The paintings in this exhibition were created using traditional western techniques: applying oil pigments to a stretched canvas with natural brushes. Ernie begins each painting by first outlining the major shapes on each canvas freehand; then he blocks them in muted colors of gray, deep green and dark mauve. Bright pigment of reds, golden oranges, greens, blues, and yellows is then applied carefully in layers as each painting magically comes to life. The large scale is contemporary and lets the bystander be with the fish, eye to eye in an almost surreal reality.
About the Artist: Ernie Marjoram has participated in several group exhibits. He held his first solo exhibit “Europe, Asia and the US” in 2005 and followed up with a second one-man exhibit “Bell’ Italia” at the Ebell Club of Los Angeles in 2007. Since 2009, Ernie has held annual art exhibitions at TAG Gallery. Ernie also teaches design and perspective sketching to the Production Designers at the American Film Institute as well as drawing and storyboarding at Dodge Film School, Chapman University, Orange, Ca.
About the Gallery: TAG is a fine art gallery located on Museum Row in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1993, the gallery represents award-winning contemporary Southern California artists working in all mediums and styles.