1st Thursday Art Walk
1ST THURSDAY ART WALK
PENTIMENTO: Layered Meanings Brought to Life
On view April 2nd - May 3rd, 2026
This solo exhibition by Santa Barbara artist Michael Vilkin explores the concept of pentimento—the reappearance of earlier layers in a painting as time reveals what was once hidden. Here it becomes a metaphor for human experience: identity, memory, and meaning existing in layers that shift, fade, and resurface. In his figurative paintings, subtle details—expressions, gestures, shadows, and clothing—hint at inner narratives beneath outward appearances.
The idea continues in abstracted portraits and geometric works where fragments of thoughts, memories, and language surround or partially conceal the figure. The recurring image of a kiosk, layered with posters, graffiti, and declarations, suggests the accumulation of personal and cultural messages that shape us. From intimate portraits to aerial landscapes, the work reflects how life’s meanings change depending on how closely—or how distantly—we look.
1st Thursday Opening Reception, Thursday April 2nd from 5–8PM
