Exhibition Reception

Last Saturday, August 6, was my exhibition opening Made Manifest at the Oak Park Public Library. The weather was good, not too hot, and setting up for it was very easy. Several friends, co-workers, and family members showed up to take a look at my pieces on view. My sister Heidi and her husband Jeff came in from Arlington, VA, and my good friends Ryan and Xuan, completely surprised me and also came from Virginia. My new neighbors Paul and Deon came, as well as my in-laws Roger and Ann, who came down from Wisconsin.

I would like to thank everyone who was able to come and support me, as well as all the people who sent me messages and words on encouragement with my exhibition. I consider myself very lucky and I am thrilled to be so supported and encouraged.

The exhibition is on view now until the end of August. Below are photos from the opening taken by friends, family, and myself.

Made Manifest - Exhibition Installation

Today is the (official) day! On view now is my very first solo exhibition Made Manifest, at the main branch of the Oak Park Public Library. I installed it this past Saturday, earlier than expected. My show will be on view for the entire month of August. If you're in the area please stop by and check it out.

Reception: Saturday, August 6, 2 to 4PM

Second Floor  -Small Meeting Room

Oak Park Public Library 

834 Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60301

Below are some photos of the gallery:

 

Made Manifest

MADE MANIFEST

Solo Exhibition - August 1-31

Oak Park Public Library

My core objective with this exhibition is not to present "paintings" but to show an array of ideas. I see every 'object' I make as an opportunity to clarify my vision. Specific applications of paint or technique are lower in my priorities of process, because my interest in expressing my ideas come first. That being said, I'm offering a twist on different materials, such as my use of gold and silver leaf, various shades of glitter, and embossing powder. These materials are typically considered as craft and design mediums, but my interpretation of these materials offers opportunities to distort preconceptions. It's apparent that I'm in love with a specific color green, which has many connotations to me. My usage of found imagery is also a primary interest. The appropriation of imagery is an additional meaning to me. Many people ask me if I drew the images (I did not), but they reiterate a specific theme and expression I'm trying to convey. 

Made Manifest is my first solo exhibition. In planning the works I'm showing I wanted to express my interest in narrative, spacial effects on two-dimensional surfaces, and to  challenge myself to get more exposure as a working artist. It's been a thrilling and an arduous process preparing for this show and I'm very excited to continue my practice and share more of my ideas and visions in the future.

The show will be on display for the entire month of August. The opening reception will be on Saturday, August 6 (2 to 4PM).

 

My New Studio

John and I recently purchased a two bedroom condo in Oak Park and we are finally all moved in, settled, and already working on painting some walls. In addition to our own storage locker, the condo came with a work-room, which I'll be using as a studio. Having a studio was a condo wishlist option that was unexpected, but highly appreciated. I've already been a lot more productive and energized with a set space for making art, which is helping me get ready for my August exhibition Made Manifest, at the Oak Park Public Library. Stay tuned for more fancy things to come!

Kehinde Wiley

When John and I first visited the Oak Park Public Library, I turned a corner and I instantly knew I was looking at a painting by contemporary artist Kehinde Wiley. Wiley blends traditional painting techniques with contemporary figures in clever juxtapositions. The specific painting I encountered at the Library displays several figures 'floating' in a realm of robins egg blue and brightly colored damask. Wiley positions individuals, typically people of color, in traditional poses found in classical paintings, specifically portraiture. An initial interpretation of his work could describe Wiley as attempting to elevate or ennoble people using gestures and postures that were usually reserved for European royalty and aristocracy. The cultural linkage in a contemporary sense makes one think of opulent and flashy hip-hop and rap stars. Wiley has a fascinating expression, that is aesthetically interesting and also historically inquisitive. A great combination of the past mixed with the present.

 

Find the full video here.

Oak Park Public Library Art Collection

One of the most striking features about the Oak Park Public Library is its amazing art collection. It features an unusual high quality of contemporary art that you might expect from a local library, which actually represents an effort to make a library a place as a community destination rather than just a one-purpose stop. One of the most famous artists I recoginzed in the library was Kehinde Wiley, a contemporary artist from Harlem, NY. It turns out that a couple years ago, after the rennovation of the main branch, the Library organized an art committee to collect art, bought some pieces from local artists, and then hired an art consultant who recommended Wiley. Good choice! Details about Wiley are coming.

Good art, featured in a library setting, is a good idea. Below are several great examples seen on several floors of the library, that invite people to contemplate a visual world that is interrelated to the books around them. I'm absolutely thrilled and somewhat proud to have a library with such progressive expression. I can't wait to see other pieces in their collection.

 

Oak Park Public Library

The village of Oak Park has many great features and amenities, including the fantastic Oak Park Public Library, which has two satellite locations around the village. The main branch is located next to Scoville Park, centrally located in Oak Park, and it's close to Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple. The main branch is in a sleek contemporary building that features large glass windows, modern lighting fixtures, and a really great art gallery. Like many public libraries, Oak Park offers an array of books, digital services, and community programs. The public art display at the library is exceptional and I am going to write a blog specifically about artworks within their collection in a couple of weeks. I hope to frequent the library a lot in the future and learn more about their collection of art and books.