Sculptures of Ted Berryman and Painting by Martha Moramay Cuevas

This Union Hall Gallery inaugural exhibition, “The Art of Experience”, in partnership with Santa Ysabel Art Gallery, features the evocative works of sculptor Ted Berryman and his late wife, abstract painter Martha Moramay Cuevas. This poignant memorial show, resurrected from a previously planned bi-national exhibition in Baja in 2020, will run from May 4th through June 16th.

Ted Berryman works with natural artifacts, including reclaimed wood and stone, as well as glass and iron, to create large-scale sculptural pieces that explore the call and response of the artist and work evolving in tandem. Berryman’s work, which also includes written elements, invites viewers into a dynamic interaction where their engagement – through touch and exploration – brings each piece to life. 

“A sculpture is just an object until you interact with it,” explains Berryman. “Your experience is what brings art to life. It’s real because you interact with it.” 

As an artist in residence at the Santa Ysabel Art Gallery in its Garage Gallery, Berryman has earned a reputation as a local wonder in the backcountry of San Diego County for his unique pieces and willingness to explore each work of art with his patrons. 

Martha Moramay Cuevas, a Tijuana native and Berryman’s late wife, was celebrated for her abstract paintings that utilized finely ground marble, pigments, and ink on various surfaces to create atmospheric compositions with incised ethereal figures. Her textural technique, Materica, allowed her to engage in a performative dialogue with her materials, inviting viewers to participate in the emergent narrative. Together, Berryman and Cuevas shared a life and studio on a quiet ranch in Santa Ysabel, dedicating their lives to the creation of art that speaks to the human experience.

“The Art of Experience” is not only a tribute to Cuevas’ memory but also a celebration of the couple’s artistic journey together. Their story, marked by a shared commitment to exploring all aspects of the human condition through art, is a testament to their belief in art’s experiential nature. Berryman’s reflections on the necessity of interaction and engagement with art highlight the exhibition’s core philosophy—that art is enlivened through experience, inviting viewers to break free from traditional constraints and immerse themselves fully in experiencing each piece.

“We’re finally having the show we were meant to have,” reflects Berryman.