Too Hot, Mistreated Islands, and the Art Studio Tour

Sep 24, 2015 at 07:42 pm by bryan


What's it like to be overlooked, disregarded, or too experience the sting of cultural stereotype as a minority; in America or around the World? Too Hot and Mistreated Islands is a dual exhibition opening in the Todd Art Gallery, Wednesday, October 14, 2015, 5-7 p.m. On display through November 5 it features the work of Vitus Shell and Yoshiko Shimano and addresses that very subject. Also, opening that evening in the new TAG | West, an adjacent chamber gallery, is an exhibition featuring the work of the craft-artists of the Murfreesboro Art Studio Tour.

Vitus Shell, hailing from Monroe, LA describes himself as a southern hip-hop visual artist. Adding, "My work merges painting, drawing, and printmaking, examines current issues in African American perception, and challenge the viewer to rethink how we perceive race."

ADVERTISEMENT

Striving to address the gap that exists between the older and younger generations Shell approaches his work through exploration of the factors that contribute to the gap. Often, that compels his examination of the parallels between present day behaviors and attitudes that date back to African roots compelling viewers to reconsider what is stereotypically considered "Black."

With a Masters of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) from the University of Mississippi he possesses an extensive record for exhibitions, fellowships, residencies, and visiting artist lectures and will be available to the public during the opening and for lecture and demonstration during the two days that follow.

Yoshiko Shimano earned her M.F.A. at Mills College in Oakland, CA. Born in Tokyo, Japan she is currently a professor of printmaking at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

She states, "I am moved when human beings continue to live with pride and hope even under difficult circumstances like wars, natural disasters, poverty, or discrimination in its many aspects toward minority groups...The beauty that can come from fragility, sadness, and the weakness of being a human being. My "Mistreated Islands," is about islands around the world that are becoming a cause of political conflict. These works address the discrimination and neglect focused on their residents, who by chance live there; thus the people living on these islands become minorities."

Shimano's career is a remarkable record of accomplishments including exhibitions, projects, lectures, demonstrations, publications, and artist-in-residencies around the world from the United States to Europe and Asia. Most important to her is service in outreach programs where she introduces a variety of printmaking techniques to children and adults that would not otherwise have opportunity to experience the art form.

And, in TAG | West, "We're pleased to also offer the Art Studio Tour sampler to the MTSU and broader community this year," said Eric Snyder, spokesman for the Todd Art Gallery. "The Studio Tour has deep roots with MTSU. If you look at the 12 participating studios you'll find former art professors, alums you'll find an MTSU connected artist, sometimes more," Snyder added."

Alan Daigre, President of the Stones River Crafts Association which operates the Studio Tour adds, "All of the artists on the Tour are excited to be a part of this wonderful opportunity to show our work at Todd Art Gallery. We hope that through this exhibit interested students will have the chance to make connections with local artists and gain a broader understanding of all of the aspects of making art as a livelihood. As working artists we recognize the importance of mentoring and encouraging the next generation of artists to grow and develop their skills and talents in order to keep art alive in our community. This is mainly why we exist as an organization and why we look forward to partnering with MTSU's Department of Art in this endeavor."

All Todd Art Gallery exhibits, lectures, and receptions are free and open to the public. For directions, parking, and other questions contact eric.snyder@mtsu.edu or 615-898-5532.

Sections: News