Spotlight artist: Jole-Peter Witkin

Spotlight artist: Jole-Peter Witkin

After a long explanation of Jole-Peter Witkin from a professor I viewed his work and found it to be unforgettable. His disgustingly beautiful, and often horrifying subject matter just screams shock value, but at the same time it is elegantly presented. The artful nature of his still life’s and staged productions are mesmerizing and beg for the viewer to examine every detail.
I also find the timeless quality Witkin uses to be very complementary to his work. The intentional use of long forgotten techniques of photography really give the work a reminiscent quality. I was shocked to see the dates of some works originally thinking they were produced in the early 1900’s.
I urge everyone to take a look at Witkin’s work.

March 3, 2009

First Friday Art Walk

Richmond VA

Just getting out and about on Friday was fun, the people seemed more lively than usual, and the music on the street was amazing. The galleries that were opened seemed filled with fairly general works, none really grabbing my attention. The few that grabbed my attention were: Klutch: Invasive Species in the Ghostprint Gallery, Ever Expanding new works by Susann Whittier in the Quirk Gallery. I was really intrigued by Susann Whittier’s work especially Open Arms, a paper collage cut outs and also Guilded and Green, created with paper, gold leaf, and wood. All of Whittier’s work is very inventive and visually interesting. I also enjoyed Klutch’s work, mostly because it was something refreshing to the art walk norm. His blend of urban design work on unusual wood and also his skate style was surprisingly different from the usual artwork shown during first Fridays. As well as the refreshing graphic style the quality of the work really took it to another level, the craftsmanship and quality of the work was very well done.

Amy Stein: Artist Lecture

Amy Stein: Artist Lecture
VCU Commons Theater
Amy Stein
What a wonderful lecture, listening to the excitement in Amy Stein’s voice as she went through her photos was very inspiring and something we all can strive for. I can imagine how much she has viewed her work, like any artist she was very familiar with her work but that didn’t distract form her profound enthusiasm in talking about each one. Like Stein said each photo from the ‘Domesticated’ series was referenced from a story told to her by a person from that small town. Each could is very interesting both visually and verbally with the story behind the image that she told. In some instances if made the image more interesting knowing the little background story, knowing what animals were taxidermy and what animals were alive. I found Amy Stein to be the most intriguing artist lecture I’ve attended thus far.

Images from Domesticated:

Spring Break Quick Visit to Miami

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Art At Fairchild: A Monumental Sculpture Garden
Featuring: Fernando Botero, Dale Chihuly, Mark Disuvero, Kris Martin, Daisy Youngblood

My vacation was too quick like most vacations are, but I did end up taking in a little bit of the Miami art and culture. I would recommend to anyone visiting Miami, The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. The garden is breathtakingly beautiful, filled with exotic plant life and interesting sculptures. I particularly enjoyed Fernando Botero and Dale Chihuly’s work. These two artists had various sculptures coexisting with the stunning plant life.

http://www.fairchildgarden.org/index.cfm?page=markdisuvero

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I also visited ArtCenter South Florida, as stated on their website “ArtCenter/ South Florida provides subsidized studios on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach to artists in all stages of career development. ArtCenter’s Artists – in – Residence benefit from low cost studio spaces, teaching and exhibition opportunities, and cooperative facilities.” This was an interesting way of seeing up-close just what artists in Miami are working on there were many different mediums being used and many different styles represented, some of the ones that really caught my eye include; Hanging On and Holding Out a featured solo installation by Jody Servon, Other artists that have studios there that were especially interesting are; Jill Hotchkiss, Rakel Bernie, and Karim Ghidinelli.

http://www.artcentersf.org/

http://www.artcentersf.org/artists/index.htm

Best of 2008 Photo Show: Harrison ST Cafe

Best of 2008 Photo Show

February 1st - March 1st
Harrison St Cafe
Richmond Va, 23220

(too be continued...)

Anderson Gallery: Embodying the Sacred in Yoruba Art

Anderson Gallery
907 1/2 West Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23284-2514

Winter 2009 Exhibition
January 16, 2009 - March, 2009

Embodying the Sacred in Yoruba Art: Featuring the Bernard and Patricia Wagner Collection

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Orilade'
The Head is a Crown
"In Yoruba culture, a person's head is celebrated as a seat of intelligence and the site of perception. Emphasis on the head in Yoruba art has both theological and political importance. The Yoruba word orflade' (the head is a crown) is a metaphor for this relationship. The head is, to an individual, what Olo'du'mare' (the supreme being) is to the cosmos-a crown and a source of power. "

If one looked at these beautifully beaded head dresses with out knowing their importance to the Yoruba culture they would still understand their magnitude by the sheer intricacy, and care taken in the bead work, these pieces are truly stunning.

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Egu'ngu'n Masquerade costume, 20th century
O'yo'/Ogbomoso Region, Nigeria
Cloth, metal, and wood
The Newark Museum
Purchase 1991 Sophronia Anderson Bequest Fund 91.35

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The Beaded Prayers Project



"The Beaded Prayers Project was launched in 1999 as a community-centered collaboration. Since then, over 5000 people--ages 6 to 90, from 35 countries--have participated by creating and contributing the beaded packets exhibited here. This is the project's final presentation, concluding a tour that has taken it to over 25 venues. "

When you walk in the back room at the Anderson Gallery the enormous size of the many blocks displaying each packet engulfs the viewer, but does not hold the viewer back from enjoying the packets close up.

Paul Shambroom: Artist Lecture

Paul Shambroom: Artist Lecture

VCU Student Commons

February 11, 2009
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

"Paul Shambroom is a photographer who explores American power and culture." as stated by www.paulshambroomart.com, in his lecture Shambroom gave examples of how his art represents this common theme of the modern day empire. As he confessed Shambroom is a very series oriented artist, creating many series about power some involving weapons both in used and retired. Shambroom expressed his initial work in the commercial industry sparked his interest in factories, and also office spaces. this interest developed into a very honed in desire to capture the image of power in different forms. the images I found most compelling were his images in the series titled; security and Meetings. These images seem realistic and really engage me as a viewer. Shambroom is a wonderfully charismatic speaker and It was truly a pleasure to listen to what he had to say, his experience and knowledge was both inspirational and truthful.

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