Author: Malcolm MacLeod
Early on a Saturday evening in Pasadena, the sound of smooth jazz could be heard from just outside the doors of Century Books. Upon entry, one is greeted with a feeling of warmth that comes not only from the gas fireplace in the corner but from the environment itself. Century’s wall to wall stacks of books old and new seem to funnel an intimate crowd of no more than ten people up a set of stairs, toward the promise of good wine, good music and most importantly fine art.
No one is doing very much talking tonight, preferring to take in the artwork while the sounds of guitar and trumpet envelop the room. Such silence from these patrons is fitting, as the art of Linda Lyke we’ve all come here to see is very much introspective, prompting the viewer to decipher the intent of each enigmatic piece.
Professor Linda Lyke has been teaching art at Occidental since 1977, but takes time to create her own artwork. For this particular series, she found inspiration in both the people and environments she’s encountered throughout her travels in North America. “I’m drawn to the the historical struggle of people who live and create artifacts from nature, specifically the Beothuk Natives of Newfoundland and the Native American Basket Weavers of the West,” Lyke said.
However, it would seem that many of the pieces in this particular show were inspired not by these people but rather, the environment. Fellow artist and friend of Lyke, Karen Neubert, pointed out a series of Lyke’s work that focuses on one particular scene, the Arroyo Bridge that spans Colorado Boulevard. “Linda is absolutely fascinated by that bridge,” Neubert said. “I can’t tell you how many ways she’s depicted it, and how beautiful and original she is able to make each new version.”
“As a female artist, I am drawn to symbols of life and the infinite,” Lyke said.
These symbols are seen through Lyke’s depictions of hourglasses, flowers and bridges. While her work may concentrate a great deal on symbolism, the meaning of Lyke’s work cannot be derived from the final image alone, but rather the very process of making the work itself. Lyke begins with a simple printing process known as Monotype. “[I] establish a field upon which the image will evolve, by adding layers of transparent ink and paint through successive printings, each printing event is recorded, altered and ultimately transformed in the process,” Lyke said.
Recently, Lyke has been working with the theme of mechanized warfare in the form of the unmanned drones being used to survey and decimate wrong-doers and innocents alike in the Middle East. These pieces will provide a poignant commentary on the evolution of warfare and society, displayed in an artful and enigmatic manner.
Lyke’s show at Century Books will be open through this Saturday.
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