International Visions~
Curated by Corazon Watkins
May 4th - July 13th, 2007
opening reception:
Friday, May 4th, 7-9pm
INTERNATIONAL VISION EXHIBITIONS:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The International Vision Exhibition is an event organized and curated by Norman artist, Corazon Watkins.
The original idea of the exhibition started in 2002 when Watkins attended a one-month residency in painting at Fundacion Valparaiso in Mojacar, Spain.
During her stay, she felt an anti-American sentiment that some Europeans have against the United States.
A native of the Philippines herself, and eventually becoming an American citizen, Watkins was determined to organize an art event where both American and International artists will have the opportunity to promote a dialogue through the international language of art.
Watkins believes that art plays an important role in linking cultures that transcends political, national, and cultural boundaries.
"Much of the violence that humanity suffers in our times is rooted in the misunderstanding as well as in the rejection of values and identity of foreign cultures..." (Pope John II).
In collaboration with four different galleries in Oklahoma City and Norman, ten artists from eight different countries will showcase their works, ranging from the representational to the abstract on May 3 thru May 28, 2007.
At the City Arts Center, Eleanor Kirkpatrick Gallery, 3000 Grand Pershing Blvd, OKC, the artists represented are, E.K. Yeong from Korea, also Assistant Professor in Art at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford; and Fong Choo from China. Clint Stone, Gallery Director of the City Arts Center is also scheduling a workshop by Fong Choo, a master ceramist. Opening Reception for the artists is May 3, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Ben Reilly, a sculptor from Ireland and Dmitry Popov, a photographer from Russia, will be hosted by Jeff Stokes, Executive Director of the Individual Artists of Oklahoma, (IAO) in Oklahoma City. Opening Reception, May 4, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Nancy McClellan, the Executive Director of the Performing Art Studio (PAS), in Norman, will showcase the paintings of Solange Peitre from France, and Ilya Lerner from Russia, now living in New York. Opening Reception is May 4 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. In collaboration with the Firehouse Art Center in Norman, Lerner will also conduct a Plein-Aire Workshop on May 5-6. For workshop information, contact the Firehouse Art Center at (405)329-4523.
At the Mainsite Contemporary Gallery in Norman hosts Luca Batagllia, contemporary photographer from Italy; Stefan Chinov, sculptor, installation artist from Bulgaria and currently Art Professor at East Central University in Ada; Jane Vorhees, mixed-media artist from Kansas City, MO and Corazon Watkins, Philippines/Norman, will show her mixed-media paintings and sculpture. Opening Reception for the artists is May 4, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
For further information about a specific exhibition, please contact:
Christian Pitt, Mainsite Contemporary Gallery, (405)292-8095
Clint Stone, City Arts Center, (405)951-0000
Jeff Stokes, Individual Artists of Oklahoma (IAO), (405)232-6060
Nancy McClellan, Performing Art Studio (PAS), (405)329-6197
Corazon Watkins (405)364-9422 or Betty Wood (405)364-1064 for the International Vision Exhibition
International Vision Exhibitions
Curators Notes:
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the First International Vision Exhibitions, and to enjoy exhibitions of American and International art.
The original idea of the exhibition was modestly conceived in 2002 while I was doing a residency at the Fundacion Valparaiso in Mojacar, Spain. One observation I gathered from some of the international artists I met, is their misconceived negative impression about Americans. "Much of the violence that humanity suffers in our times is rooted in the misunderstanding as well as in the rejection of values and identity of foreign cultures..." (Pope John 11). This event was organized, in part, to make art play an important role in linking cultures that transcends political, national, and cultural boundaries.
In organizing this event, I chose artists from different European and Asian countries including American artists whose works range from the representational to the abstract. Regardless of the medium, style, or subject matter, it is my hope that you will enjoy the works of the artists that I have chosen. I also hope that this exhibition will serve an invaluable opportunity to promote dialogue through the international language of art that leads to mutual respect and understanding between diverse cultures. I believe that the ties connecting us are stronger than the differences separating us, as evidenced by our mutual interest in appreciating art.
I wish to thank the artists represented in this exhibition for sharing their work with us, the four galleries who collaborated with me in making this show possible, the committee members, and the donors.