As if inspired by shamanic painters of the Paleolithic, previous paintings by Becky Soria have conjured up animals from the sacred caves of a Europe hidden by time. In Essence: A New Body of Paintings, Soria turns her attention away from these animals painted by the so-called primitive humans to human beings themselves.

As the ancient shaman-artists depicted the animals in a way both abstract and yet true to their essence as experienced by them in realms both of the sacred and also of the life and death struggle for existence, Soria seeks to depict the essence of the human being in her new body of paintings. Soria, using rich combinations of mixed media and painting, evokes primitive emotions that span the gamut from uneasiness to inner peace and kindles in the viewer quiet contemplation and self-awareness. In this way, Soria reiterates the view of bodies as ephemeral.

Following the opening reception, the exhibit will be on display through November 5.