COLUMN: First Friday Art Crawl returns with variety of shows, including ‘Jung at Heart’

An exhibit opening today as part of the First Friday Art Crawl is titled “Jung at Heart.”

Interesting title with promotional material saying the artist, Brian Woods of Savannah, “dissects his psyche using Carl Jung’s method of analytical psychology as the framework.”

Sound pretentious?

Maybe.

Or intriguing?

If it sounds pretentious a talk with Woods erases worry of that foible. Woods proves serious yet playful – after all, he incorporates beloved Disney characters in his work along with abstraction and expressive realism. And he proves thoughtful regarding his work but is able to simply enjoy lines and color turning out well from pallet to canvas. After all, those lines and colors carry important sentiments.

You can judge the work and artist by seeing it and meeting him at The 567 Center today from 5 to 8 p.m. and catch the show through June 24.

The Center is at 456 First St. and admission is free.

Wood’s June show is in part the continuation of one he did in 2017 titled “Return of the King” dealing head-on with issues of slavery, reconstruction and the Black experience today. The new show doesn’t depart but takes a different turn, though some of the former work may again be present.

“The previous show showed a lot of cotton fields and images of slavery and I’ve done a lot of that since I graduated from college,” Woods said. “But the new show also looks at how we think and the impressions we all have about life around us, how we formed those ideas and the reality that they may not be accurate. That’s where Swiss psychiatrist/psychoanalyst (Carl) Jung comes in. I’ve divided the show into three parts based on his concepts of ego, personal unconsciousness and the collective unconsciousness. As far as imagery, there’s a different tone in much of my work as I introduce images and characters most of us are familiar with but use them to express different things.

“Disney films have such great character development and horrific villains – the classic stories are more than just children’s tales. I wanted to move toward the way I and others think and examine that and the way we’re entrenched in unexamined thought patterns about ourselves and the world around us. As much as visual art can address social issues and the awful things we see on the news, I want my work to be both engaging and express something about those concerns. And, since I’m a Disney fanatic, it struck me that using certain characters might convey thoughts in a way disturbing images from the news couldn’t. ”

Woods’ day job is in educational technology and he is a former teacher. That may be part of his fascination with how people think and learn. He’s also begun a non-profit organization called Art Craft Studios which does workshops and takes art into places like schools, hospitals and retirement centers as more than busy-work crafts but as a therapeutic means of expression and potential income source at present targeted at charities of participant’s choosing.

At the show, it’s not that you’ll just see reflections of Disney’s folks all around but a wide variety of expressive approaches. Woods said he relies on inspiration and his style changes from work to work. Maybe not as profitable as picking one “look” and being known for it, but he said that’s not the goal, anyway.

“It’s not my goal to just be a well-known artist,” he said. “I have other talents and passions and ways of reaching people and doing good in the world. I have to keep the art something that’s pure and driven by inspiration.”

Colin Pendorff, 567 exhibit curator, said he’s glad to welcome Woods back for a “continuation” show.

“The response to his work was really overwhelming back in 2017 and we’re glad we can finally bring him back – and it’s the right time for it,” he said. “Part of what made me love him was that he dealt with a lot of issues like slavery, Reconstructionism and death in a more – what? – palatable way that makes it maybe a little easier to deal with and gain from. The connotations of what it means to be Black in America are there but combine with his new approaches and using the Disney characters. You’re coming to see beautiful artwork with a real narrative and a tremendous amount of thought behind it.”

Woods’ website is at www.brianantoinewoods.webs.com. Find out more about the exhibit and Art Crawl by searching Facebook events for “First Friday Art Opening: Jung at Heart” and “First Friday Art Crawl.” Maybe throw “Macon” in there, also. For all the downtown First Friday events, search “June First Friday.”

If you’re wanting to get out and about outdoors this post-Memorial Day weekend, Ocmulgee Outfitters is organizing a Saturday/Sunday overnight camping trip at Dauset Trails. The family-friendly event at the nature center starts at 4 p.m. Saturday and finishes at 11 a.m. Sunday.

The cost is $25 per person and includes dinner, dessert and breakfast. Bring your own camping equipment or rent tents, sleeping bags and pads through Ocmulgee Outfitters. While available, a four-person tent is $10 and sleeping bag/pad combos are $8. You have to drop by Outfitters at 565 Poplar St. or call them at (478) 259-6594 by 9 p.m. tonight, though, in order to register. Online see www.facebook.com/ocmulgeeoutfitters.

You could stop by while roaming around First Friday or enjoying the kid’s activities at Third Street Park and the children’s band Green Grass Green from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Contact writer Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com.