Art Goes Global Exhibit May - June 2009
May 7, 2009
Greenwood, SC - Art Goes Global in Greenwood! The Arts Center of Greenwood is proud to announce an invitational exhibit focusing on artists from around the world. The exhibit also features work from local artists who have recently traveled or been influenced by world travel. This exhibit celebrates the universal language of art. Each artist brings their unique technique and influences from their culture. There are twelve featured artists in the exhibit from Russia, Zimbabwe, Argentina, Iraq, Cuba, France, and South Carolina.
- Artist, Vadim Bora is originally from North Ossetia; a republic in Russia’s rugged Caucasus Mountains but currently resides in Asheville, North Carolina. He works with a variety of mediums including painting and sculpture. His featured works have a strong folk influence but mixes classical and contemporary European techniques and traditions. Another artist, Raed Al-Rawi who is originally from Iraq now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina. Raed was trained in illustration but currently works in acrylic. His work s are mainly in acrylic and deal with common themes of emotional close connections and divisions as well as his personal sense of time and history. The images from his paintings are dreamlike in nature.
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- Zimbabwe is also represented in the work of Mucha Kachidza. A native of Zimbabwe, she now resides in Atlanta, Georgia. Her style is a visual manifestation of her waking dreams. Often influenced by a combination of culture, life experiences, mythology, dreams, spirituality and internal observations, her work is full of color and pattern.
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- In contrast, artist Tyrone Geter who resides in Columbia, South Carolina works with textures and layers as well as the influence from living and working as a teacher in a village in Zimbabwe. His beautiful charcoal studies tell a story of the family life in Zimbabwe. They are rich with movement and emotion as well as spontaneity. Tyrone Geter also uses mixed media in his portraits. He collects items to use in these pieces that provide us with a connection. Sometimes these personal items become a part of the story unfolding within a work of art.
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Artist, Marcelo Novo, native of Argentina also utilizes mixed media in his works. His pieces utilize maps collaged into the paintings. Each map becomes a background surface which he builds upon with color and drawings. The viewer may ask why a particular map was used or they may not notice the map at all until further investigation. Another artist, Carlos Alvarez Cotera who is originally from Cuba brings his talents for realism in his interesting studies of native foods and plant life from home. His careful observations are put to canvas and many of his works are miniature works of art.
In addition to these artists, we are delighted to have local artists participate who have strong influences from their travels. Gene Shirley’s large colorful panels draw the viewer into the many layers and textures. While his work represents a more contemporary and abstract form of art, they definitely pull the viewer’s eye to the many rich textures that we may not notice every day. Bob Taylor of Taylor Galleries is also one of the featured artists. His work features beautiful sculptures, some of which are architectural in nature and are also rich in color and texture. Featured photographer, Micael Reneé is best known for his amazing portraiture; however, his beautiful photography from Italy draws you into the day to day life of this memorable place. Two other photographers, Dr. Desmond Smith and Joshua Kelly also feature photography from their travels.
We are truly delighted to have these and other artists featured in our exhibit. A gallery reception for the artists will be Friday, May 8th, 5:30-8:00 p.m. Many of the artists plan to attend so this is a great opportunity to meet and talk with the artists about their work. In addition to an artist reception, the Arts Center will welcome foods from International families and local restaurants and musical performances. There will also be free make and take art activities for children. Also on exhibit will be the featured artwork from children who participated in our Spring Break Art Camp. If this is not enough, our very own resident artists of the Arts Center, Marianne Lenti, Dot Moore, and Skip Shelton will have a display of their work featured in the courtyard. So, everyone is invited to join us in celebrating diversity and talent of both our local and international artists.
For questions, please feel free to contact us at 864-388-7800. The Arts Center is located at 120 Main Street in Uptown Greenwood.
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