This exhibition presents paintings and steel sculptures by Portland artist Jill Torberson, whose creative inspiration extends from quotidian objects to simple structural forms. Join us in welcoming the artist during the opening reception from 5:00 – 8:00 on September 14 during the Astoria Artwalk.

Torberson is fascinated with the familiar and serviceable utensils that we wield in our daily pursuits. Many of these implements, tools, and gadgets hail from times past, yet remain familiar today. Worn by touch and repetitive motion, these nostalgic objects have the power to evoke our personal history and awaken latent memories. Each is rendered in realistic detail on a sheet of steel. and appears ready to be grasped from its surface and immediately put to use for work or play. The artist's unique process involves applying background colors on steel sheets, then aging them outside for months to achieve a weathered patina.

In contrast to her paintings, Torberson's metal sculptures are minimalist geometric expressions informed by architecture. Here, her design approach centers around the theme of "lightness," using the structural integrity of steel sheet and wire to create works that feel light, seem to float, and evoke fragility.