“On and Off The Wall” is a new exhibit at the Dolphin Gallery, opening May 14, 2022 featuring the art of Janice Sullivan and James Docker. Both artists create an obvious texture with their work. Sullivan’s emphasis begins with fabric, while Docker’s is about wood, yet neither artist travels a singular road to their art, and we’re fortunate that both will be on display at the Dolphin Gallery in May.

The landscape of natural and constructed environments have been inspirational sources for Janice Sullivan. “I am interested in the architectural nature of textiles, geometric form, organized grid, and surface texture created through the manipulation of structural components as well as color and pattern. Continuing to explore manipulated surfaces and complex patterns, I have turned to fashion. Producing a line of shawls and scarves, these fabrics continue to express my sculptural ideas in textiles that are fashion conscious. The ideas that began as sculptural relief for the wall have become adornment for the body.”

Sullivan graduated with a BA in Textiles from Boston University in 1979, and followed with a Masters in Art Education from Massachusetts College of Art. Her teaching assignments have included City College of San Francisco, San Francisco State, and College of the Redwoods. Subjects have included weaving, dyeing, tapestry and surface design. Sullivan adds, “the concept of woven cloth as a symbol of celebration and an element of ritual has been an initial focal point of inspiration in my work. My intentions are to create textiles that are ceremonial in their own right. I create my imagery through an abstract approach using the repetition of pleats, complex multi- patterned weave structures, painting, printing, stitching and dyeing.

James Docker earned a Master of Fine Arts degree at San Francisco State University (he did his undergraduate work at Pepperdine University), and the influences on his work are many and varied. “The work I do has a conceptual component inspired by the work of both living and deceased, amateur and professional Artists, Arts and Crafts makers, and by Architecture. As a music lover and a jazz music enthusiast in particular, the structure and freedom expressed by jazz enters into the dialogue I have with wood and fabric.” One can see Japanese influences, including boro fabric creators and useful Japanese items for food service and tea ceremony. (He lived and studied in Kyoto, Japan from the late 1960s to the early 1970s.The work of Piet Mondrian appears visually and fleetingly in his creations.

Docker has worked with wood his entire adult life, designing and building houses, cabinets and furniture for over 60 years. “I began creating knife blocks and boards for friends, family and neighbors at The Sea Ranch. I have designed and constructed custom homes on The Sea Ranch, the Napa Valley and throughout the greater SF Bay Area over an almost 50 year career. My wood work has been described as ‘quilting in wood’. Above all, I hope my work brings both visual delight and a certain usefulness!”

The exhibit continues until June 5, 2022.

Images from Top:

Sullivan Woven and Dyed Shawl

Sullivan "Two Views"

Docker woodwork

Docker Bag