New Tim Turner art show arrives in Columbia’s Vista

Artist and ceramist Tim Turner has made a career of creating vast amounts of pottery and abstract art.  

But in recent years, Turner has gotten inspiration from the simpler things in life. Columbia’s City Art gallery is hosting an exhibition on Turner’s most current line of work, called “Songs of Celebration.”  

The works, which involve collage elements made from old paintings, represent small pleasures in our lives. Turner showcases things like a bouquet of flowers, a cup of tea or a glass of wine.  

“Just seemed a good time for some work focusing on things that bring us joy,” Turner wrote in a biography and explanation of the series.  

Turner found the inspiration for the series after suffering a string of health scares in recent years. He suffered a heart attack in 2020. In 2021 and 2022, Turner had two battles with cancer. He could not comment on the exhibition  because he was in Houston for a cancer screening. 

“I think they’re very calming and interesting,” City Art co-owner Heather Noe said of the works. “You can look in them and see different things every time you look at them.”  

Turner’s paintings are a lot like collages in that way, with different interpretations being seen depending on how the viewer looks at them. 

“There’s a collage element to it that shows Turner’s experience with pottery,” said Noe’s partner, Randy Hanna. 

Turner’s “Songs of Celebration” also has another series of paintings, called “Birds.” It’s a combination of abstract paintings that depict the shape of different birds.  

“I was looking for a distraction from my work with abstracts to try and clear my mind a bit, loosen up, play around and come back to them with fresh eyes and new ideas,” Turner wrote. “I started playing around with different bird shapes and got totally sidetracked in the best kind of ways.” 

Hanna said Turner’s pieces showcase his decades of craftsmanship.  

“It’s stunning, is what it is,” Hanna said. “It shows real experience to have abstract, 3-D imagery and joy work together in a series.” 

Since the “Birds” series is so different from the rest of his work, Turner decided to sign the works using his middle name, “Leon.” For Turner, it gives him an opportunity to use his middle name that he likens to a freeloader. 

“No longer a coaster, a moocher, a bad brother-in-law, stretched out on the couch awaiting his next free beer,” Turner said. “Time to earn that spot!” 

Turner’s art is open for viewing and purchase through December of this year. A public reception is planned for Nov. 21, during the 39th annual Vista Lights event.