Hudson (Show)Room: Kehinde Wiley: The World Stage: Africa, Lagos ~ Dakar
01.05.09
Media Contact: Celina Emery
t 210 212 4900 x323
f 210 212 4990
cemery@artpace.org
www.artpace.org
SAN ANTONIO, Texas-The Hudson (Show)Room exhibition The World Stage: Africa, Lagos ~ Dakar, organized by The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, features ten new paintings by Brooklyn-based artist Kehinde Wiley. These monumental images combine different approaches to portraiture, drawing inspiration from Old Master painting, modern graphic design, and public sculptures in Dakar, Senegal, and Lagos, Nigeria.
The World Stage project is centered on Wiley's practice of creating "satellite studios" in countries around the world. The artist establishes temporary residence in each location, living in the area for several months at a time. His working method involves a total immersion in local culture, art, and history, which he then interprets through a series of paintings created in the studio. The portraits included in the exhibition on view at Artpace are drawn from Wiley's travels in Senegal and Nigeria in 2007. Amidst a swirling background based on the kaftan-traditional attire worn by West African women that was produced in Africa for European export-Wiley's models mimic poses found in public sculptures in the two countries. In many of the canvases the bold pattern of the background envelops the figures in a forest of design, symbolizing the fusion of present-day popular culture with indigenous patterns and customs.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Kehinde Wiley first began developing this painterly approach while an artist-in-residence at The Studio Museum in Harlem at the beginning of his career. Since graduating with an MFA in Painting from the Yale School of Art in 2001, Wiley has exhibited across the globe. He has had numerous solo exhibitions at venues that include Deitch Projects, New York, NY (2008, 04); Roberts & Tilton, Los Angeles, CA (2006); and Sorrywereclosed, Belgium, Brussels (2006). His work has been featured in Recognize, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC (2008); Black Alphabet - contexts of contemporary African-American art, Zacheta National Gallery of Art, Warsaw, Poland (2006); Down By Law, Wrong Gallery at the Sondra Gilman Gallery, part of the Whitney Biennial, New York, NY (2006); and Redefined: Modern and Contemporary Art from the Collection, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC (2006). In 2008 Wiley was awarded the prestigious National Arts Award presented by Americans for the Arts, New York, NY.
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
This exhibition is made possible in part by the Linda Pace Foundation.
Exhibition Details and Related Events:
Exhibition Dates: January 15 - May 3, 2009
Reception and Artist Walk-Thru: Thursday, January 15, 2009 5:30-8:00 PM
The opening reception for The World Stage will be held from 5:30 to 8:00 PM with the Members' Preview beginning at 5:30pm, followed by a gallery walk-thru led by the artist at 7:00 PM.
Brown Bag Lunch: Wednesday, February 15, 2009, 12:00-1:00 PM
Join Artpace for a curator-led tour and discussion of The World Stage. Lunch is provided by Sip ($6.50). Call Artpace for menu and reservations.
Private Tours
Tours in both Spanish and English are available by appointment. To schedule a group tour, contact Celina Emery at cemery@artpace.org or call 210 212 4900 x323.
ABOUT ARTPACE
Artpace San Antonio serves as a laboratory for the creation and advancement of international contemporary art. Artpace believes that art is a dynamic social force that inspires individuals and defines cultures. Our residencies, exhibitions, and education programs nurture the creative expression of emerging and established artists, while actively engaging youth and adult audiences.
Artpace is located downtown at 445 North Main Avenue, between Savings and Martin streets, San Antonio, Texas. Free parking is available at 513 North Flores Street. Artpace is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, 12-5 PM, Thursday, 12-8 PM, and by appointment. Admission is free.
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445 North Main Avenue San Antonio TX 78205 t 210 212 4900 f 210 212 4990 www.artpace.org
© 2009 Artpace San Antonio