The Portland Winter Light Festival started in Portland in 2015. The premise of this work is to create a conversation between two seemingly monolithic cube structures. Each structure, from the outside, will appear as cold, hard objects. The inside of each cube structure will be dynamically illuminated and mirrored to create a sense of infinity. The illuminated animation will be derived from digital imagery of local flowers. As the viewer approaches, they will observe that these cube structures seem larger on the inside than on the outside. Jill Torberson, Craig Dorety, and Jeff Schnabel.

This exhibition was titled “West to East and Back Again”. The exhibition at the Lan Su Chinese Garden was the first of it’s kind for the garden. Along with interior works in the Scholar’s Hall, artwork was also placed throughout the garden. This show gave me an opportunity study the signs, symbols, and superstitions present in Chinese culture. I have been inspired by the origins, meanings, and traditional uses of colors, animals, words, and objects within the Chinese perspective.

The show was titled “Lighter than Air”, and had to do with the idea of light in both color, and weight. The works changed during daylight, with shadows creating volume. At night, the lighting conditions took on a whole new visual experience. This show was done in collaboration with Jeff Schnabel, Professor of Architecture at Portland State University.

March 2014: Scratching the Surface

Artists Jill Torberson and Jeff Schnabel explored the power of mark-making in steel and wax. The geometries of construction are realized in materials that become liquid when hot, but can also be manipulated when cold and solid. Often the bi-products of construction (scrap) are featured prominently in the work. These works were on display at the American Institute of Architects in Portland, Oregon.

I have had many exhibitions at Guardino Gallery over the years. This particular show was titled “Navigation’, and was created by myself and Jeff Schnabel. The works were about navigating, as in travel and transportation, as well as emotional navigation.

Shadow theater

Exhibition at Guardino gallery, 2019.

Custom work for the Portland Winter light Festival, 2019.