By Jessica Hudgins
SDUN Publications Assistant

Devastating earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, volcano eruptions in Iceland and Guatemala, floods in Tennessee, the biggest oil spill in American history – all within the first five months of 2010. One local artist is making sense of these recent catastrophes through his artwork.

Jason Gould, an abstract mixed-media painter, will have his exhibit “Chaos in Pieces” on display at the San Diego Art Department from June 19-July 11. An opening reception will be at SDAD, 3830 Ray St., North Park, on June 19 from 6-9 p.m.

The group of paintings in “Chaos in Pieces” is Gould’s reaction to calamities created by both natural forces and anthropomorphic ones. The chaos Gould depicts takes hold in matters of border security, health insurance coverage, global warming, the economy and all-out war.

Each piece is meant to explore the balance and imbalance of control and the struggle to find peace of mind within the ever-increasing sense of chaos.

“‘Chaos In Pieces’ is literally chaos shattered into fragments,” Gould said. “It is the only way that I have been able to comprehend and focus on finding a peace within the chaos.”

Artist turned entrepreneur, Gould also owns his own art supply store: Visual Art Supply on Adams Avenue in Normal Heights. And when he’s not painting or providing art supplies, he’s teaching. Gould is a painting instructor at the SDAD and the Coronado School of Art.