|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MATT SEIKEL and DENISE DUONG |
|
|
|
 |
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 13, 2009
Contact: Joy Reed Belt
405/842-6336
jrbartstudio@aol.com
JRB ART AT THE ELMS PRESENTS DENISE DUONG NARRATIVE ART & MATT SEIKEL CERAMICS IN SEPTEMBER
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – An exhibition featuring narrative art by Denise Duong and ceramic works by Matt Seikel will open with a reception on Friday, September 4, 2009, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., at JRB Art at The Elms during the monthly Gallery Walk in Oklahoma City’s Paseo Arts District. The exhibit runs through September 26th.
Denise Duong studied at the Chicago Art Institute and currently lives and works in the resident studio she shares with fellow artist Matt Seikel. Duong’s Gustav Klimt-like paintings of young women reflect her love of art nouveau and the decorative arts. Nostalgically sentimental references help create the energy and spirit of each character. Duong layers her paintings with paper, fabric and paint adding depth and complexity to her images.
Each of Duong’s paintings tell a story. Some of them are complete short stories; others are epic in their ability to evoke experiential memories and themes. One such painting, “Januar,” is of two young women, one looking to the right and one looking to the left, dressed as Roman soldiers. For Duong, born in January, the painting is a colorful tribute to the God, “Janus” with her women looking forward to the future and backward in the past.
Consistent with Duong’s personal philosophy: “By living in the moment you create another moment,” in this new series of paintings, Duong created the environment of each painting before creating her characters. She says that “the more she travels the more she realizes that we are all products of our environment. Duong’s sought after mixed media narrative paintings are a witty commentary on lives well lived and the importance of relationships. Her work has been featured in Southwest Art and New American Paintings.
A native of Oklahoma, Matt Seikel attended Casady School as well as the Classen School of Advanced Studies before enrolling in the Chicago Art Institute. He currently lives and works in a resident studio that he shares with Denise Duong. Seikel’s hand thrown and coiled vessels are widely collected. In addition to decorative pots that are collaboratively painted by Duong, Seikel constantly experiments with glazes and other innovative finishes.
For this exhibit Seikel has focused on closed form vessels. Many of them were influenced by experimental pieces from the past. He says that in this new body of work, he has “incorporated Greek proportions in the design of his forms and approached his work with a Japanese focus on process.” He continues by saying “ the handbuilding added an unexpected sensitivity to my throwing. I gained a rewarding new intimacy with my work.” Seikel’s new body of work also has a new maturity. His clay and porcelain vessels have a simple and cohesive color palette with satin and matte finishes in white, carbon and traces of yellow umber.
JRB Art at The Elms presents a diverse roster of emerging, established, and internationally exhibited artists who create in a wide range of media including: paintings, drawings, sculpture, ceramics, glass, fine crafts, functional objects, fiber art and photographs. This award winning gallery in Oklahoma City’s Paseo Arts District with its historic 4,500 square foot exhibition space, 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 through Saturday, 10-6, and Sunday 1-5. Phone: (405) 528-6336, website: www.jrbartgallery.com, e-mail: jrb@coxinet.net.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
© Joy Reed Belt 2010
All prices subject to change without notice - not responsible for errors. Availability, price and shipping charges can be confirmed by e-mail or phone prior to purchase. |
|
|