Untitled, 1999 Roy Tomlinson oil on canvas on wood panel 54 x 84"

An exhibition of large-scale, contemporary paintings opened November 1, 2000 at the Latham Square office building, located at 1611 Telegraph Avenue in downtown Oakland. Organized by the Oakland Museum of California's Professional Services Department and curated by Paul Tomidy, the exhibition features paintings by seven Oakland artists all living and/or working in the downtown area.

The general public is encouraged to stop by to see the paintings in the newly renovated foyer on the first floor of the building. Latham Square is located between the 12th and 19th Street BART stations and is just a short walk from either.

Cherie Newell
Contract Services Project Manager

Narcosis, 2000 Rik Ritchey acrylic, paper, polyurethane 74 x 56 x 1"

The Oakland Museum of California welcomes this opportunity to collaborate with Latham Square Associates, LLC in presenting cutting-edge work from the studios of some of Oakland's most creative artists. We hope that through their work, you will come to know Oakland as a city with both heart and art.

Dennis M. Power
Executive Director

This exhibition features paintings by seven Oakland artists, each with their own unique style. On display are various forms of abstract works, some even include representational imagery within their compositions. Alongside each painting, the viewer will find brief remarks describing the artworks.

Large paintings present the viewer with distinctive circumstances. The works surround the viewer as opposed to the viewer surrounding a smaller work. Our vision must span; looking around, sensing, remembering and assembling the information. Large paintings possess a heightened physicality. They are as big or bigger than our physical size. We are a player in their arena. We are moving and gathering in a large field.

Murmur, 1995 Kim Anno oil on wood 96 x 38"

Oakland is home to a great many artists. The exhibit space at Latham Square heralds a positive addition to places where the arts are in Oakland. New spaces bring the opportunity for new audiences to witness the multi-faceted richness of the many artists in our area. A troubling cloud on the Bay Area's horizon is the difficult economics of affordable art studios. When looking at these strong, large-size paintings, think of the space required to produce and store such proud work. Hopefully, Oakland will retain and foster the arts for the greater meaning and vitality it contributes to life in our city.

Latham Square Associates, LLC are to be congratulated for stepping forward to exhibit large-scale contemporary art in this newly remodeled location. Also my thanks to the Oakland Museum of California for administering all the important details.

Paul Tomidy, Independent Art Curator