PRESS RELEASE
“Figures of Speech”
In its November exhibit, “Figures of Speech,” JRB Art at The Elms presents three noted Oklahoma artists: Denise Duong, Ginna Dowling, and George Oswalt. While divergent in style and subject matter the work of these three artists demonstrate their individual philosophies of life, emotion, and art. The exhibit will open on Friday, November 1, 2013 at JRB Art at The Elms, 2810 North Walker in Oklahoma City from 6:00 until 10:00 pm.
DENISE DUONG is an Oklahoma-Vietnamese artist who emerged into the world in January of 1981 “without hesitation and continues to live life as a leaf in the wind.” Since attending the School of Art Institute of Chicago, Denise has indulged her nomadic and curious soul by traveling, creating art and exploring the international culinary world. When asked by “Southwest Art magazine” what her biggest fear in life was, she replied, “Boredom.” Denise’s collection of mixed media narrative and whimsical paintings entitled, “Oxymoron” exude joy, energy and lives that are well lived. Her beguiling paintings flirt with reality. While we see what is depicted, the manner in which they are depicted make us wonder, “Are we really seeing what we think we are seeing?”
The core of GINNA DOWLING’S detailed prints, “Reconciling Memories” is biographical in nature. The figures Dowling creates and the structured environment in which she places them represent the emotional, spiritual, and physicality of the world that we experience in echoes and shadows. Much of the imagery in her work focuses on weaving the celebration of life with the struggles of life as we create memories. Her work is also narrative in nature and includes drawing, repeated images and byzantine icons. The diversity of printmaking allows for a layered process of transparency and gives Dowling her voice. An Oklahoma City native and the fifth female artist in three consecutive generations, Dowling received her MFA from the University of Oklahoma.
“Post Pop Parade,” a series of paintings by GEORGE OSWALT is about the juxtaposition of people and animals. They reflect a 21st century ambiance of synthetic reality saturated with contemporary imagery and color. These paintings circumvent and strip product references and portray what it’s like to live in an over stimulated virtual reality. Oswalt had his first one man show in 1974, and has since shown in nationally. He received his MFA in 1993 from the University of Oklahoma and taught for over 30 years in both high school and college. He is included in both public and private collections including The Fred Jones Art Museum in Norman, The Goddard Center in Ardmore, The Mabee-Garrer Museum in Shawnee, and The Oklahoma State University of Art Museum in Stillwater.
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JRB Art at The Elms presents a diverse roster of emerging, established, and internationally exhibited artists who create a wide range of media including: paintings, drawings, sculpture, ceramics, glad, fine crafts, functional objects, fiber art and photographs. This 8,000 square foot award-winning gallery in Oklahoma City’s Paseo Arts District changes its exhibits monthly in a gracious environment that fosters a dialogue between the arts and the larger community while providing quality art for first time buyers as well as individual, corporate and museum collections.
JRB Art at The Elms, the former home of Nan Sheets which was built in 1920, is located at 2810 North Walker and is open Monday-Saturday, 10-6, and Sunday 1-5.
Phone: (405)528-6336. Website: http://www.jrbartgallery.com
Email: info@jrbartgallery.com
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