Woody De Othello captures the remarkable life of ordinary things.
The lighting in the room bleached everything yellow. Synthesized notes traveled from the back—to the front entrance of Karma in West Hollywood—musicians were prepping the air waves. Woody De Othello’s exhibition, “Tuning the Dial” grounded the viewer to see the beauty in daily functionality.
“Everything that comes into this physical reincarnation is an expression of spirit,” Othello started moving closer to the entrance, greeting smiling faces. Before the live performance summoned everyone to the back, Othello set aside some of his energy for the Los Angeles Sentinel to share his creative process of “Tuning the Dial.”
The L.A. based activation channeled a New York air, with the boom box sculpture frozen in a moment of breathing in and out. The scrunch of the stereo inhaled the animation of hip-hop and a call to the culture, as it rested on top of an African inspired foundation.
“There’s already a sophisticated language and writing system,” Othello verbalized his notes of observation on the indigenous era of Africa—pre-dynastic Egypt, “Even Hieroglyphics are symbolic. I’m interpreting that symbology, making them more contemporary,” Othello said.
Married to the culture of everyday life, Othello captured water swooshing to one side of the bucket, a vanity mirror tucked inside a laundry basket, and chromed out sink faucets knotted up on the floor.
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“We spend a lot of time together, talking through things. I see a lot of elements of our life—threads, fragments, bits—when I look at his work and it feels very familiar,” noted contemporary artist Lacey Lennon reflected on seeing her husband’s work on display at Karma.
“…There’s a lot of support and encouragement and also—critique. He had a meditative focus, very consistent,” Lennon said.
Bigger pieces for thought welcomed guests at the door. A mix of overlapping hands, feet, ears, legs caused the guest to pace around and catch a new message from each angle. The silent sermon was amplified by the use of horns sprouting from different parts of the figure.
Oakland-based artist, Chaflee welcomed viewers to participate in the performance if they felt inclined. Free form sound waves took audience members on an individual journey. Whistles, yelps, pianos, flutes, chimes, dead palm trees leaves—created a spatial air and twilight; inviting a calmness for everyone to enjoy.
“The musicians performing; Cheflee is a new composer for this sound. He’s from the Bay—I’m living in the Bay (San Francisco Bay area.) I met him early on when I moved out there and I just felt this kindred kind of connection, the ideas of the music, the lighting, the exhibition—I’m thinking about how we go back into our bodies. How do we feel when the entirety of our body—and not just having our brain lead the way.”
The opening reception took place on Feb.19 and available for appreciation until April 5. The exhibition showcases Othello’s exploration of household objects, bodily features, and the natural world, rendered in his distinctive “distorted” style. The artist’s work often transforms familiar items into expressive sculptures, inviting viewers to reconsider everyday experiences.
In conjunction with the exhibition, a conversation was held on Feb. 19, featuring Woody De Othello, Ruby Neri, and Sterling Ruby, moderated by Margot Norton. This discussion provided insights into Othello’s creative process and the themes present in his work.
Visitors going to “Tuning the Dial” can expect to engage with Othello’s unique interpretations of mundane objects, presented in a manner that challenges perceptions and evokes deeper contemplation.
Karma is a contemporary art gallery with sites in New York and West Hollywood. Karma is known for encouraging various voices and works with a wide spectrum of artists, including Reggie Burrows Hodges, and Thaddeus Mosley. The gallery’s West Hollywood location has become a hub for fostering dialogue and inclusivity in the art world. Karma’s shows and artist conversations continue to empower marginalized viewpoints in contemporary art.
“I been working with Karma for the past several years,” Othello mirrored his gratitude in collaborating with the West Hollywood location, “This is my third showing with Karma, Im very grateful to have a good working relationship with them.”
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