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One of the projects I’m working on now is a musical concept inspired by one of my earlier ideas. This painting is eight feet tall by two and a half feet wide, and will be displayed at Avera McKennan’s new Cancer Institute.
As I thought about this painting, it reminded in some ways of the paintings of Marc Chagall , especially the way he treats some of the human figures. In this painting,The Birthday Gift, the viewer receives an unmistakable cue that this is more about dramatic movement than realistic portrayal. The people represented are not rooted in reality, planted on the floor, but floating unhinged and unanchored. The way they are depicted allows us to see them in the motion of the moment they are living.
In this painting, my cellist plays under a full moon and we are carried by the composition, by the musician’s movement and position, through his dream up to the moon itself.
Works of art are able to communicate across a broad spectrum of people. Regardless of the viewers’ age and culture, education and economic situation, a piece of art affects its audience. My hope for this painting, as it communicates with people of all different backgrounds, is that it will open a window for the viewers to drift into their own thoughts.
P.S. A word about an upcoming event: I have a month-long solo show at Augustana College, going up on February 11th. It’s going to be one of my more experimental shows. For more photos and news, go to my blog.
-- Click to enlarge the images.--
Ark of the Covenant
After roughly three years, I have finally got the opportunity to move my studio downtown again. For personal reasons, I had used the studio to escape from the public and do art for myself, developing different aspects of my technique and idea. Nevertheless, most of my time spent confined was great and I believe that it has opened more doors for me to work with other professionals such as Perspective Inc. For the next two years, I am planning to work with them in different projects and collaborations in hopes that their architectural influence and concepts might be incorporated within my own art. It will be a fun year!
Herewith, the March 6th Sioux Falls Trolley Tour is approaching soon and some of my pieces will be displayed throughout the Perspective Inc. building starting at 5:30 P.M. My exhibit will differ from my past in that I will be displaying much more drawings and sketches than paintings. As an artist, when I look at my paintings, I try to see them through the eyes of potential viewers which allows me to truly judge the sincere skill of my work. Thus, I believe that paint alone cannot make a piece beautiful, but the skill of the composition, sketch and drawing that is in its backbone.
Personally, my goal is not to be a famous or “great” person but to leave behind a legacy that is not defined by who I am but of the skill of my art. Though art may change according to time and place, the reason behind its existence will always remain. It exposes yet has the potential to guide the culture and era that produced it. Therefore, I want, not my identity, to be kept within changing time but the existence and concept of art as a language.
Also, one of the most beautiful instrumental artists, Nebiyu Kebede from Washington D.C has decided to cover his latest album with one of my paintings, The Vine of Axum. His music is inspirational and serves as a language itself though now words are used. The whole album is a great experience and unlike any other type of music.
In addition, I wanted to thank Carl Grupp and Rob Robinson for the comments they made in the PBS documentary that aired earlier January.
For me, 2008 was not a productive year; however, I have witnessed a lot of progress within my work as it had matured. I have put a lot of focus and emphasize on the concept of Axum, as in the painting above, with cultural design in which I have learned a lot about myself as an artist and began to see my identity protrude out of a long process of incorporating Axumite designs.Since I started alot of my artwork, within the last ten years, on a realistic and modern perspective, my main focus is to now incorporate those perspectives into the ancient and iconic history of Ethiopian Christian Art. However, Although I have focused on the concept of Axum for the last 5 years, I am still planning to remain there for the years to come. All this will be for the Augustana College solo show in 2010.
In addition, I will be featured in is a PBS documentary film on art in my life. This film will also include the students, teachers and other critics as they comment on my work. The programs and times of when the episode airs will be included in the PBS link above. I am anticipating a very good outcome on the film and believe that it is a good way to listen on what others think about my work. It will be fun!
