I often publicly state a desire for a narrower journalistic beat. “Instead of all of Bay Area visual arts and film, what if I only covered artists over the age of 70?” This is what I ask my editor every time I profile someone as impressive as Elaine Mayes or Joan van Briesen. “Ha ha Sarah,” he says. “No wait, but really,” I say.
The current exhibition at the Marin Center Exhibit Hall in San Rafael conveniently solves this problem for me. 80 Over 80 showcases painting, sculpture and photography all made by artists — you guessed it — over the age of 80.
Showing in the Board of Supervisors Chambers Gallery is an accompanying exhibition of photographs by Lea Del Pomo — all portraits of women over the age of 80. Combating the increased invisibility women face as they age, Del Pomo’s portraits show them strong and decidedly visible, staring directly into her camera’s lens.
Quotes from the two shows’ press release argue the benefits of not only making art as an older event, but viewing it. So whether or not you’re an octogenarian, check this out — it’ll be good for your health.
