Modern Materials Contemporary Quilt Show at Untitled
Modern Materials: The Art of the Quilt at Untitled [Artspace], July 11 through August 29, 2009
Untitled [Artspace] in Oklahoma City (map link) has just opened Modern Materials: The Art of the Quilt. By all accounts, this show is not to be missed. These works are especially suited to art audiences in Oklahoma, where the traditional so often collides with the contemporary (as in the excellent VisionMakers show).
On Saturday July 11 at 6:30 pm, there will be a talk in the gallery by one of the participating artists, contemporary quilt maker Pam RuBert. Looking around RuBert's website, I'm particularly enjoying the yoga posture series, and this narrative quilt Robbery at the Lingerie Boutique.
Untitled [Artspace] has a great e-newsletter to help keep us abreast of art events in the OKC area. Sign up here.
This post is part of NaBloPoMo for July 2009.
Back To Normal now open at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum
Installation view of Back to Normal, photo by romy owens.
My new solo show, Back to Normal: Normal, OK Revisited, is now open at the Gaylord Pickens Museum in Oklahoma City. Come on down!
I'll be giving a public talk in the gallery on Saturday July 18th at 2 pm.
Meet some of the Normal people in here.
This post is part of NaBloPoMo for July 2009.
What's the Story? Peggy Preheim at the Philbrook Museum
Kid Napping, (pencil on paper, 14 x 11 inches) 2003 by Peggy Preheim. Collection of John Carhart Ebeling.
When we look at figurative art, we inevitably place ourselves inside the narrative, whether consciously or subconsciously. Peggy Preheim's work presents us with a complex set of visual information, but no clear story lines. As viewers, we create personal narratives through which we can interpret her work. On Thursday Wednesday July 8, 2009, I will be leading a discussion about symbolism and implied narrative in the work of Peggy Preheim at the Philbrook Museum. The talk starts at noon in the Helmerich Gallery.
Little Black Book, a comprehensive collection of Peggy Preheim's drawings, sculptures, and photographs, is on display at the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa through July 26. Here's a map.
I highly recommend the catalog that accompanies this show. Not only is it a beautifully made book, it contains insightful interpretations of Preheim's work and an "Object Map" of some of the artist's sources.
This post is part of NaBloPoMo for July 2009.
Flora and Fauna show at aka gallery
Detail of Ode to Okra #5, a quilt by Elia Woods. Click any image to see it full-size.
This past weekend, the Flora & Fauna show, curated by Jennifer Barron, opened at aka gallery in OKC's Paseo District. Read more about the show here.
Gallery view of paintings and sculptures in Flora & Fauna.
Wood and fiber works by Bob Hawks, Jan Hawks, and Carl Shortt.
Paintings by JT DeShong, with Julia Kirt gallery-sitting.
Gallery view of works by Elia Woods and Debby Kaspari.
Make Contemporary Art a Part of Your Routine
Collage maquette by Sarah Atlee
No matter where you live, you live near an artist. We are everywhere! Visiting gallery shows, poetry readings, theatre, live music shows, and other art events is a great way to support your local arts community, and enjoy yourself to boot.
If you're in the Oklahoma City area, it's easy to stay in the loop for local arts events. The Weekly Gazette arts calendar is fairly comprehensive. You can also read about local arts in ArtBeat, the Daily Oklahoman, and the Norman Transcript.
If handling paper isn't your thing, visit the OVAC and Plaza District blogs, and sign up for the Untitled Artspace E-newsletter.
To find out about art events in the Tulsa area, Holly Wall's blog is a great place to start. Also, feel free to explore the Oklahoma Artists section of my Links page. Many of those artists have their own blogs, Facebook pages, and Twitter streams.
Never been to a gallery show before? Everyone is welcome, and artists are always happy to answer questions about their work. Dip your toes into the monthly First Friday Art Walk in OKC's historic Paseo District, this coming Friday from 6 to 10 pm. Highlights for July include the Flora & Fauna show at aka gallery, 3001 Paseo. As always, there will be food, art, music, and plenty of atmosphere.
Get'cherself some cultcha, yeah? Your neighborhood artists will thank you.
This post is part of NaBloPoMo for July 2009.