Barracuda: A Show with Teeth

Photos by Mary Birdsong

Bringing together the triad of Ron Bayuzick, Tom Ferraro, and Brian Pardini is a powerful act, much like the ferocious ocean predator—the barracuda — that names this exhibit of their collected works at the new 10/20 Collective art space. If you are familiar with the works of these artists, this show will welcome you like an old friend. 

All veteran artists, their works display self-assured and accomplished sophistication. And the spacious upstairs gallery — glass, metal, and wood with an industrial feel — is the perfect setting for their works, which utilize similar materials. In fact, one could get the feeling that the works emerged from the surrounding space and assembled themselves.

The largest of Brian Pardini's driftwood sculptures and Bayuzick's three-dimensional metal works dance in the center of the space with Ferraro's and Bayuzick's paintings surround them.

Ferraro's painterly scenes, at times bucolic and other times probing, capture both landscape and urban scenarios, sometimes with additional text woven into the fabric of the painting, adding complexity. These additions take his work from what some might call "pleasant" to thought-provoking, a meaningful move in this time in the United States.

The gestural canvases of Bayuzick are here in abundance, as are many of his often-whimsical assemblages, a nice look at his broader oeuvre. His finely tuned dexterity with his media, whether paint or rusted metal is evident, his energetic swells and shifting planes intact.

Pardini's sculptures rise stoic and unbending against Bayuzick's gesture and Ferraro's painterliness. This is not to say that makes them bad or that this is always true. The rigidity of his material, driftwood, lends a rigid quality to his works, but they also sway and twirl and gesture

And their works do complement each other. In fact, the idea for this show was borne of the three noticing that in group shows their works are often placed near each other.  "I always felt that while our work was quite different, they visually complemented one another when presented in the same space," says Ferraro

We may not be seeing this show if it wasn't for COVID-19, so there's a small silver lining. The artists' original plan was to respond to a call for artists by Associated Artists of Pittsburgh. Ferraro heard of the proposal request and immediately thought of bringing together the three for a show there. The AAP's call was postponed as the pandemic transpired, though, and the show was put on the back burner until they heard about 10/20 Collective revitalizing the Holland Street venue as a multi-arts space.

Managed by Rick Bowser (pictured above), 10/20 intends to be a "cultural center in the heart of the community," per Bowser. He has plans for hybridized musical, cultural, and culinary events. He's also planning workshops with city cultural entities like The Neighborhood Art House. "We want to showcase new work and create a space where everyone can express themselves," says Bowser. 

Call the 10/20 Collective at 814-983-8566 to schedule an appointment to see the exhibit. It's scheduled to close soon, so don't wait to sink your teeth into this compelling show.

Note: 

Hours available for appointments are 11 AM - 7 PM, Tuesday through Saturday.