Artists Talk with LVA: January 20, 2022

The Hite Art Institute presents Asia in Motion, an exhibition of contemporary work from students and faculty of the Hite Art Institute. Presented in Partnership with the 2022 Southeast Conference of the Association for Asian Studies, the artwork in Asia in Motion presents the wide range of media and conceptual topics currently being explored by artists of Asian descent within the Hite Art Institute. 

Students participating in Asia in Motion include Jonathan Loyd (BFA), Xin Chen (MFA), Xuanyi Wang (MFA), Yuran Seo (BFA), Suyun Son (MFA) Shachaf Polakow (MFA) and Jingshuo Yang (MFA).Faculty participating include Ying Kit Chan, Moon-He Baik, Dimitri Kim, and Delin Lai.

In this interview we speak with three of the artists: Examining gender and cultural differences between China and the United States, artist Xuanyi Wang, who was born and raised in China before moving to the U.S., explores conceptions of the self within her artwork and specifically how the self is defined by and altered by one’s personal environment.

The photography of Shachaf Polakow, documents Palestinian resilience and resistance under the Israeli military occupation of the West Bank. As a member of the artist collective ActiveStills, Polakow seeks “to confront the Israeli settler-colonial project in the region of Palestine.”

Jingshuo Yang’s ink and watercolor illustrations for example, examine the connections between spiritual Chinese philosophy and the work of the Western philosopher Nietzsche. Using the butterfly as a symbol of peace and freedom, she juxtaposes the delicate tactility of the butterfly against chaotic and colorful washes of ink to explore ways of balancing the stress of the world with the search for inner tranquility.

Asia in Motion
January 14-February 18, 2022
Cressman Center for Visual Arts

Artebella On The Radio: August 19

Geoff Crowe is a painter of what might be described as abstract expression. He works in a variety of mediums including, acrylic, watercolor, dip ink pens, charcoal, and sometimes a mix of these. 

“I began my formal training as a visual artist in Puerto Rico. My first exhibition, En Accion (2004), featured a series of paintings capturing the movement and enthusiasm of children playing soccer. The Latin influence of my early training continues in the often dramatic use of color and light.

My exploration into how to express my art began with impression-like paintings. Most recently I have begun exploring abstract expressionism.  Over the years my subjects have included figures, ballet dancers, horses, pets and other animals, cityscapes, and children’s book illustrations.

I have had the luck of painting and sculpting while living in multiple countries. I grew up in California and have lived in Indiana, Puerto Rico, Ireland, and most recently Louisville, Kentucky”.

Crowe’s new exhibit "STONE & CANVAS--In Abstract" is at Kore Gallery. The reception for this exhibit, which also features the work of sculptor Mike McCarthy will be August 21, 6-9 PM

Artebella On The Radio: July 15

This week we spoke with Louisville native but Brooklyn resident Dean Christensen about his new solo exhibit at Galerie Hertz opening on July 18. Tune in to WXOX 97.1 FM or stream on Artxfm.com Thursdays at 10 am to hear Keith Waits talk with artists.

“Smile” New Work by Dean Christensen opens July 18 at Galerie Hertz with a reception from 1-4 pm and runs through September 5th.

N. Dean Christensen (aka Deansace, b. 1992, Louisville, KY) is a figurative painter living and working in Brooklyn, NY. Christensen's body of work is an ongoing commentary on the influence of the smartphone in our lives.

Using satire, social media iconography, and techniques that mimic in-app editing tools, he compels us to examine online persona, the human need for connection and approval, the inescapable pervasiveness of advertising, and the hidden constraints of social media. 

Artebella On The Radio: February 11

Rebecca Norton & Jake Heustis are showing new work at Moremen Gallery beginning February 19 and they came together to talk about it. Hear the interview this Thursday at 10:00 am on WXOX 97.1 FM, or stream it on Artxfm.com.

Rebecca Norton received her BFA from the University of Louisville in 2004 and her MFA from Art Center College of Design in 2010. Norton's studio practice encompasses 2D and 3D design, collaboration, digital modeling, and animation. Her work examines theories of synthesis and connectivity as they relate to the activity of reconstructing reality in vision and thought. She takes a special interest in color theory and problems of the mathematical intelligibility of natural phenomena. Norton has exhibited nationally and internationally. She has been a contributing writer for The Brooklyn Rail, Arts in Bushwick and Abstract Critical. Rebecca Norton currently lives and works in Louisville, KY.

Jacob Heustis uses painting, drawing, and installation to question and explore value and class systems, vanity and desire and the nature of art and aesthetics within the context of contemporary society. Heustis’ large-scale works consist of a minimal but expressive application of medium and materials often combined with self-referential phrases and appropriated pop-culture lexicon in the form of hand written text.

Since 2004 he has exhibited at Swanson Contemporary, the Green Building Gallery, Land of Tomorrow, Zephyr Gallery, Actor’s Theatre, Brown Theatre, Kentucky School of Art, Hite Art Institute, The Speed Art Museum, Cressman Center for Visual Arts, Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, and 21C Bentonville, Durham, and Cincinnati.

Artebella On The Radio: January 28

Painter Brennen Cabrera & Spoken word/visual artist Lance Newman will be the guests on this week's show. Brennen is showing at Mellwood Art Center & Lance is part of the cast of Romeo & Juliet Louisville 2020 at Actors Theatre. Tune in to WXOX 97.1 FM, or stream on Artxfm.com Thursdays at 10:00 am to hear Keith Waits speak with artists.

Brennen Cabrera was born December 4th, 1996 in Louisville, Kentucky. He is a mixed media painter, mainly self-taught with little to no formal education or training. His work has been exhibited around the Louisville, KY area, as well as parts of California, New York, and Chicago, IL. His one-person show, “Windows”, will be at Mellwood Art & Entertainment Center’s Pigment Gallery February 5-28.

Lance Newman II, was raised in Louisville, Kentucky. He is a writer, poet, host, actor, performing, visual, and teaching artist. His experience is the culmination of a 16-year career performing around the country. As a playwright, he helped create plays such as the “Smoketown Poetry Opera,“ ”The Westend Poetry Opera” and “The Blood Always Returns.“ Under the name, SpreadLovEnterprise, he teaches his creative writing and public speaking curriculum in schools, community centers, and service-providing organizations. He co-hosts the largest and longest-running poetry slam in Louisville; created the public art “LITS Project” on 4th st; and has been featured in newspapers, commercials, and the feature film “Frathouse.” Better known as ‘Mr. SpreadLove,’ a local man of worldly talent.