Art

Dark Totem Exhibition Comes to Hellada Gallery

Daniel Kathalynas, Jana Opincariu DARK TOTEM Who are you willing to become?, mixed media sculptural wall hanging in Hellada Gallery's exhibition, Dark Totem.

For artists Jana Opincariu and Daniel Kathalynas, a totem is not just a symbol of a power animal but an interconnection of power imagery that may take on the guise of an animal, plant, element, a dream-state or higher consciousness.

Dark Totem artwork will flood the Hellada Gallery in Long Beach with paintings, sculptural wall-hangings and short films. “Who are you willing to become?” is a fitting subtitle for the show that exemplifies the ancient aspect of tribal members becoming power animals to enhance characteristics that are needed. This exhibition by Opincariu and Kathalynas will penetrate the barriers of standard imagery to ignite unseen themes and dark becomings to move primal emotions.

Jana Opincariu is an award-winning artist with paintings recognized across the southwest and paintings that have found their home around the globe. She creates surreal and fantastical images of human bodies, objects and animals. As a painter, she strives to exemplify what it means to become vulnerable and romanticize it. She does this by creating hyper-realistic portraits of people, creatures and bodies, illustrating lucid dreams and making delicate surreal images that demonstrate the lust and chaos we face in day-to-day life.

Daniel Kathalynas is an award-winning international artist. He works in painting, sculptural wall-hangings, filmmaking and stop motion animation. Currently, Daniel is traveling across the country and filming short videos called The Roaming Artist – American Odyssey where he discusses his inspirational process, the beauty of national landmarks and local culture with live painting on his YouTube channel.

The first Totem exhibition took place in Albuquerque at Factory on 5th in September 2019. It was such a success, Jana and Daniel decided to bring a newly adapted (and darker) exhibition to Long Beach.

Dark Totem will be on view 2 to 7 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday until May 28.

Time: Cosing reception 5 to 9 p.m., May 28

Cost: Free

Details: 562-435-5232; www.hellada.us

Venue: Hellada Gallery, 117 Linden Ave., Long Beach

Melina Paris

Melina Paris is a Southern California-based writer, who connects local community to ARTS & Culture, matters of Social Justice and the Environment. Melina is also producer and host of Angel City Culture Quest podcast, featured on RLN website and wherever you get your podcasts.