TENDING THE FLAME by Bryan David Griffith
Exhibition Dates: November 21 - January 4th
During the long nights of winter, cultures around the world have long gathered around the warm light of fire and imbued it with ritual. Tending the Flame is one man’s attempt to keep the spark of creativity burning during a metaphorical time of darkness. Artist Bryan David Griffith uses fire as a medium to plumb the relationship between nature and humanity. The resulting works juxtapose geometric forms with organic energy to convey themes of attempted control, disruption, loss, and healing. Griffith draws on his experiences learning about wildfire from fire ecologists, beginning with the 2015 project Fires of Change, sponsored by the Southwest Fire Science Consortium, and continuing with additional research for his solo museum exhibitions in Arizona, California, and Oregon.
About the Artist
Interdisciplinary artist Bryan David Griffith explores complex social and environmental issues using simple forms and materials. He earned a degree in engineering and worked for an international management consulting firm before he resigned to follow his conscience. He bought an old van to live out of as he toured the country for years building a new career as an artist. When Griffith’s van broke down in Flagstaff, he fell in love with the town, and then his wife, Tasha. He never left. Griffith is a past winner and four-time finalist for Flagstaff’s Viola Award for Excellence in Visual Arts. His work is held in a number of permanent collections including the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Phoenix Art Museum, University of Michigan Museum of Art, Center for Creative Photography, and Fort Wayne Museum of Art. His recent solo exhibitions include the High Desert Museum, Fresno Art Museum, and Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum.
Tending the Flame will embody its theme by transforming over time. The opening reception will debut a special piece on view for only two days, November 21 and 22, as part of the nationwide movement Fall of Freedom, which calls upon the creative community to take action on those dates to highlight threats to freedom of expression. Following the opening weekend, this work will be replaced with others, with a new iteration on view December 5 for First Friday Art Walk from 5-9pm, and another before the show’s closing on January 4th. An Artist Talk will take place on December 13th from 5-6pm, offering deeper insight into the artist’s process and evolving vision.
Exhibition Dates: November 21, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Opening Reception: Friday, November 21, 6–8 PM
Art Walk: Friday, December 5th 5-9pm
Artist Talk: Saturday, December 13th 5-6pm