"Structure" Exhibit Looks at the Building Blocks of the Universe

Thanh Diep

​While wandering through the underwater exhibits at the California Academy of Sciences, artist Thanh Diep found inspiration in the adaptability of the smallest organisms on our planet. She extended her investigations into the microscopic world of spores and fungi, creating a charcoal and crayon drawing, Structure of Fungi. Diep's radiant image of the spore's weblike framework led curator Miranda Putman to theme an entire show, "Structure" at Creativity Explored, on the building blocks of the universe, whether biological or human-made.

Sara O'Sullivan

​Sara O'Sullivan is fascinated by life sciences, and her paintings of body parts include a cheerfully grinning pink skull more friendly than ghoulish. Gordon Shepard draws on his background as a circus performer to show the inner workings of a circus tent, complete with a close-up view of the big top's wooden scaffolding. Natalie Spring, meanwhile, sculpts a miniature empire of horse stables out of wire: "Structure" really looks below the surface.

Creativity Explored gained national attention in 2003 when one of its resident artists, Michael Bernard Loggins, wrote a book called Fears of Your Life. Loggins is developmentally disabled, as are most of the artists at the gallery. He uses words and drawings to depict his anxieties in the book. He later appeared on NPR's This American Life.

Gordon Shepard

​"Structure" continues through September 28 at Creativity Explored, 3245 16th St. (at Guerrero), S.F. Admission is free.