Emilio Villalba: Everything is Something

The selection of Emilio Villalba’s paintings in this exhibition range in subject matter from the vast ("Everything") to the specific ("Something"). Villalba presents visitors with two separate challenges — to find meaning in the mass presentation of a multitude of people and objects, or to focus solely on the individuals or objects the artist has selected for them. Depending on the individual viewer’s mindset, one viewing process may come more easily than the other. Villalba’s large-scale, brightly colored paintings explode with the joys and chaos of everyday life. Jars of peanut butter, basketball nets, electronics, bottled condiments, and potted houseplants are interspersed with individual portraits of friends and loved ones. Bicycle wheels, beer bottles, and cans of paint — common detritus from an artist’s studio — spread from one corner of the canvas to the other, in a manner similar to Abstract Expressionist Jackson Pollock or even his predecessor, Impressionist Claude Monet. By refusing to provide the gallery visitor with a focal point, Villalba leaves the viewer with no other option but to do what is required: systematically scan the painting while the brain carefully registers what is being presented — humanity. — Allison C. Smith, Ph.D., Professor, Art History and Chair, Art History and Humanities, Johnson County Community College Museum Hours: FREE ADMISSION Tue., Fri., Sat.: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed., Thu.: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sun.: noon-5 p.m. Mon. and JCCC Holidays: Closed