Yellow No. 5 is a cornucopia of color, ideas and expression.
The collection of work currently showing at The Bellevue Arts Museum was curated by Tariqa Waters, founder of Martyr Sauce, an art gallery and community space in Pioneer Square.
“The name of this exhibition is Yellow Number 5," said Waters. "It is a wonderland of different perspectives, of multi-talented artists, from regional artists [...] everyone in this show is a very accomplished artist in their own right.”
What's in a name?
“I remember as a kid we used to make fun of Yellow No. 5 and Red 40. Like, what is in my candy?” Waters laughed.
The tagline for this exhibition is "Natural Flavor. Artificial Color." and Waters said the whimsical, pastel-laden atmosphere sets a welcoming tone for visitors but the canvases and sculptures within Yellow No. 5 often have deeper meanings beneath their sweet, candy-like colors.
“Come into a space, you wanna just smile and then you’re met with serious dialogue,” Waters said.
The works within Yellow No. 5 reward close viewing and contemplation, but Waters said not everyone will be able to decipher the symbolism within each piece. She said she hopes Yellow No. 5 can spur natural conversations about important topics, with help from a little "artificial color."
"The whole point is the engagement," Waters said. "How is art still powerful? How is art still impactful and needed in a time like this.”
To see and hear more about Yellow No. 5, watch the video above. Then, visit BAM's website for current museum hours and/or virtual experiences.
