SHARLA FELL | Solastalgia
643 Project Space
643 N. Ventura Ave
Ventura
DATES: September 2-30, 2022
OPENING RECEPTION: Friday, September 2, 2021, 5-8pm
643 Project Space is pleased to announce, Solastalgia, an exhibition of work by artist Sharla Fell. Solastalgia is a term from the Latin words sōlācium meaning comfort and the Greek root -algia meaning pain, suffering, or grief. The term describes a form of emotional or existential distress caused by environmental change. It is best described as the lived experience of negatively perceived environmental change. This feeling is also sometimes called eco-grief. When Sharla encountered these concepts, she found terminology for what she had been feeling for several years. According to Sharla, her work has become a practice and meditation on those feelings. Eco grief started when the beautiful lake where she grew up had a super bloom making it dangerous to swim. The thought of not being able to dive into what was once the 17thcleanest lake in the world, and a huge part of her childhood and family culture, was devasting. It was visceral grief. She chose to express her sadness through beauty. “I find peace in knowing that for me, nothing is deeper or more important than nature and love, or more meaningful than creating beauty.”
Originally from the Finger Lakes region of Central New York where she played on the farm, swam in the lakes, and skied in the winter. Before moving to Ojai 25 years ago, Sharla Fell has lived in many places across the United States. “I love our beautiful valley. Moving to Ojai was finding my tribe when I didn’t know my tribe existed.” Sharla is a Professor at Ventura College where she teaches traditional drawing, 2D design, and color theory.
Please join us Friday, September 2, 2022 for the opening reception of Sharla Fell’s exhibition, Solastalgia, at 643 Project Space, from 5 -8pm
To schedule an appointment to see Sharla’s exhibition, contact her via email: sfell@vcccd.edu