For Immediate Release July 21, 2008 DNC or 'bust': politics and art AURORA: Jumping on the bandwagon is not new news in the world of politics and in the wake of Denver hosting the Democratic National Convention local galleries have hopped on, too. Fortunately, the wagon doesn't stop at the Denver and an Aurora gallery is offering a provocative perspective on the politics of an individualís experience. 'Paint, Clay and Politics' was inspired by gallery owner Kim Harrell's desire to, well, jump on the bandwagon of the political convention in town. To make that happen she had to wait for further inspiration that arrived in the form of Theresa A. Anderson, an up and coming artist who had recently taken a studio in the East End Arts District. "After only a few minutes in her studio I knew I had to find a way to show her work as soon as possible," says Harrell, "and from discussions with the artist about her work it became clear a 'personal political' expression existed that was powerful." Anderson says of her work, "I access my personal biography in the fabrication of dramatic emotions that describe my relationship to my past. Through this emotive experience I use color, texture, line, and expressive paint application to open the contemplation of geo-political and social issues." Anderson graduated from Colorado University in Denver in 2007 summa cum laude and with an Outstanding Senior award. A winner of a Showdown competition on Saatchi Gallery's website, she has been invited to show at an international exhibition of emerging contemporary artists at Charles Saatchi's newest gallery in Chelsea (London) this fall. Complementing Anderson's work is Flora Cruells Benzal, who left Denver in 2006 and now resides in San Francisco. Benzal's ceramic sculptures, "Things I will take to the Grave," also access her personal biography but instead of realized events this body of work expresses her fears. The political angel is palpable as these fears were faced while her husband was serving in Iraq. "Paint, Clay and Politics" opens Friday, August 8, with a public reception from 4 - 8 pm, at East End Applied Arts, 1556 Florence Street in Aurora and continues through August 30, 2008. 'Tea & Talk', an informal discussion with Theresa A. Anderson, will be held Saturday, August 16 from 2-4pm; the opening and the Tea & Talk are free and open to the public. East End Applied Arts is open Thursday through Saturday noon-5.30 pm and by appointment. You can reach the gallery at 720.203.3575 and info@eastendarts.com or by visiting the website www.eastendarts.com. |