A new exhibition featuring the work of local artist Bart Ross will bring geometric complexity and meditative calm to the Hastings Branch Library this spring.
“Multi-point Symmetry: The Modern Mandala,” running from May 5 through June 30, showcases Ross’s distinctive approach to transforming ordinary photographs into intricate, symmetrical compositions.
Ross’s technique evolves from “flopping,” an old darkroom method, which he has adapted to create complex images where multiple points serve as centers of symmetry. This approach shifts viewers’ attention away from traditional central focus points toward a dynamic interplay of peripheral elements.
Ross said he sees these images as “visual mantras,” comparing his work to Islamic geometric art and describing it as a reflection of his own meditative process. He said these images “reveal hidden order within the apparent chaos of daily life.”
The Pasadena artist, whose photography journey began at age 10 with a Kodak Instamatic camera at Disneyland, later studied at San Francisco State University after attending a transformative photography seminar in 1974 featuring luminaries like Ansel Adams and Minor White.
Ross’s creative process is deliberately paced. He often observes potential photographic subjects for months before capturing them, seeking to find and elevate the essence of seemingly mundane scenes. While his early work utilized large-format photography, Ross has evolved toward a more spontaneous, street-style approach to capture fleeting moments.
The exhibition, hosted by the Hastings Branch Library at 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd. is part of the City of Pasadena’s ongoing commitment to showcase local artistic talent in accessible public spaces.
City officials hope the exhibition’s contemplative nature will resonate with visitors, offering a moment of calm reflection through Ross’s exploration of pattern and symmetry.
To learn more about Bart Ross and his work, visit https://www.bartross.com/.
