San Francisco based  artist David Ball is exhibiting a collection of 20 collage/mixed media works in the group exhibition “Harum Scarum” at Minna Gallery in San Francisco.  “In this latest series Ball celebrates color and character through vibrant layers of acrylic paint, colored pencil and collage that unite to form otherworldly scenes of mythical creatures and fantastically surreal landscapes that invite viewers to share in the artist’s wonder and fascination at the human pursuit of happiness.”

“Sometimes I am commenting on reality. Sometimes I am escaping it. The work is kind of a discourse between those things.” –David Ball

“Ball’s practice evolves from a place of continual change, embracing the to achieve a sense of order. His process begins roughly, with quick, abstract and gestural under paintings that gradually evolve into an elaborate and well-defined composition through the artist’s “call-and-response” style of working. Ball’s personal life greatly informs his process and the themes behind his imagery. Throughout his life, he experienced a series of extreme shifts in his psycho-emotional state of being that took him through periods of emotional highs which inevitably turned to lows that resulted in paranoia, aggression and depression. His willingness to transcend the chaos saved his life and was due in part to being open to taking medication and in part due to his personal resolve to trust in the love and kindness of someone close to him.” (from Minna Gallery)

“Harum Scarum” runs through February 2, 2012.   Check out more work by David Ball at DavidBall.net  as well as video teasers of Harum Scarum by Shaun Roberts.