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Stripped of his Garments - Painting by
Gwyneth Leech
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This
Press Release was updated on Wednesday, Feb. 1st, 2006
Don't
Talk About Religion Or Politics:
Artists
explore the sacred and profane
Avenue
50 Studio, Los Angeles.
January
7th., through February 6th., 2006.
Avenue
50 Studio invites the public to a special art exhibition
that focuses on questions of religion and politics.
Curated by Mark Vallen, the exhibit features
the works of artists:
Sergio Hernandez, Gwyneth Leech, Poli Marichal,
John Paul Thornton, and Mark Vallen.
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Closing
Party
Sunday,
February 5th., 3 to 5 pm
The
last opportunity to view this well received and thought-provoking
exhibit! The artists will be on hand to answer questions concerning
their works. Refreshments and hor d' oeuvres provided.
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Artist's
Forum on Art & Politics
Thursday,
January 12th., 7 to 9 pm
As
part of the exhibition, Avenue 50 Studio presented an artist's
forum where all of the exhibiting artists and the public discussed
the meanings and motivations behind the works on display.
This exciting event, attended by some 70 people, included
a slide presentation of artworks by participating artists.
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Someone
famous once said "Religion is the sigh of the oppressed
creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul
of soulless conditions." Those words certainly ring
true in our own time, as countless individuals turn
towards spiritualism for answers to life’s great mysteries
- their faith sheltering them from a pitilessly indifferent
world. Yet
at the same time societies everywhere are also being
fractured by religious zealotry, bigotry and persecution
- with religion itself seemingly a driving force behind
war.
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A
People Under Command - Painting by
Mark Vallen [ detail ]
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John
Paul Thornton at work on a painting to be
unveiled at the exhibition
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The
exhibition, Don’t Talk About Religion or Politics,
attempts a meaningful exploration of these contradictions
and their political ramifications.
Don’t
Talk About Religion or Politics is also an age-old
American axiom, an adage the participating artists of
this exhibit clearly intend to ignore as they carefully
examine the blurring between the sacred and profane.
To celebrate the importance of spirituality in our lives
and collective consciousness, the participating artists
of this exhibition have come together to offer genuine
visions of piety and devotion.
But
they are also unafraid to offer honest critiques of
religion’s darker side. It is to this duality of purpose
that we dedicate the exhibition, Don’t Talk About
Religion or Politics.
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Interview
on Pacifica Radio
90.7 FM -
KPFK
Friday, Jan. 13th., 2006.
Long
time PACIFICA Radio producer, Jay Kugelman, interviewed
the artists behind the Don't Talk About Religion
or Politics exhibit. His interview with Mark Vallen,
Sergio Hernandez, Gwyneth Leech, John Paul Thornton,
Poli Marichal, and Ave 50 Studio Director Kathy Mas-Gallegos,
was conducted at Vallen's studio on the eve of the exhibition's
opening.
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Left
to right: Sergio Hernandez, John Paul Thornton, Jay
Kugelman, Gwyneth Leech, and Mark Vallen
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The
Last Slap - Painting by
Sergio Hernandez
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Further
insights into the making of this extraordinary show were provided
in Kugelman's lively discussion with the artists, which aired
on his Sound Exchange broadcast, an exploration of
"the creative imagination in its social and political context.
Listeners
to 90.7 FM KPFK Los Angeles or 98.7 FM in Santa Barbara, heard
the broadcast on Friday, January 13th., from 12 Noon to 12:30.
Those interested also listened in from anywhere in the world
by webcast on the official KPFK website, at: www.kpfk.org
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The
full color postcard used to announce the show is available
here.
You are invited to print-out your own copy of this high
resolution, 200 dpi graphic (pdf format.)
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The
January 7th opening night Artist's Reception was well
attended by hundreds of people from all across L.A.
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Ave
50 Studio is located at:
131
No. Avenue 50, Los Angeles, CA. 90042.
Click here
for a MapQuest map.
Business hours:Tuesday through Sunday, from 12:00 p.m.
- 9:00 p.m.
For
more info, contact Kathy Mas-Gallegos, gallery director,
at:
Phone: 323-258-1435. Web: www.avenue50studio.com
E-mail:
ave50studio@msn.com
High
resolution images available upon
request.
Please share this url with others.
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