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April 18 through May 7, 2008
Artists' Reception: Friday, April 18, 2008 from 6 to 9 PM
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Art Access Gallery
JinMan Jo |
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Art Access is pleased to show the work of sculptor JinMan Jo who will show five of his oversized works in bronze, steel and wood from April 18 through May 7, 2008. The exhibit will also display several of his pedestal pieces.
As JinMan Jo works slowly and steadily, almost ceremoniously, the material take on new form and becomes the vehicle for the transmission of the philosophy of his life, his understanding of time and space and his observations of limitations, connections, communications and polarities.
Thick steel bends during forging and hammering. Thin wires work together to show interconnectedness. Weak things overlapping and interconnecting with each other become strong. Each piece makes an undeniable contribution to the whole.
JinMan Jo says, "My sculptural works are like entries in a personal journal. This self-reflective process focuses my feelings as I work. Each period of my life is represented through the use of stone, steel and wood along with the choice of size, shape, texture and attachment, reflecting my thinking and feelings in that moment in time."
The sculptor is currently an Assistant Professor of Sculpture at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. Jo received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Environmental Sculpture from the University of Seoul in Korea , where he carved many monumental granite pieces. These works are in the collection of Seosan Sculpture Garden in Seosan, Korea. JinMan Jo received a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture from the University of Iowa in 2003.
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Access II Gallery
Kids Without a Country
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Kids Without a Country Explores the Pathos of Four Young Hispanic Artists
Art Access II Gallery is pleased to present the multimedia exhibit of Kids Without a Country: What Now, Jose? featuring David Olvera (painter), Victor Sida (songwriter,poet), Jose Hernandez Lopez (poet/filmmaker) and Jesus Silva (painter). The exhibit was coordinated by their mentor Walt Hunter.
The exhibit took root in 2001, at a club for girls and boys in Midvale, Utah. Walt Hunter, the Gang Prevention Specialist for the club bought art supplies and hung paper on the game room walls to entice the kids to draw. According to Hunter, no one did anything. In frustration, he smashed pastels against the paper and yelled, " Will someone make a mark? Come on, just hit the paper." Jose Silva responded he got up, answered the challenge and made his mark. In that moment, "Dueling Art" was created and, with that, an art class was born.
Hunter says, "The purpose behind this exhibit is to shine a light on who these kids are, going beyond what society often perceives them to be: dark skinned, drug-dealing kids with baggy clothing and bad attitude - kids who carry weapons."
Hunter continues, "These kids have been left without a voice in our society. Their emotions and emotional connection with themselves, each other and society must be demonstrated either through art or through violent acts.These kids choose art."
The four artists have not lived entirely "pretty" lives. Their lives have been turbulent and constantly changing. All have endured lives no kid should have to face. Each artist, however, has chosen to stay away from gangs.
In the year since July of 2007, when they were awarded an exhibit by the panel at Art Access, each of the young artists, except for Jesus, has been incarcerated or deported. Their young lives have fallen apart because of their own foolish actions or the acts of others. Only Jesus Silva has managed to keep his life intact. According to Walt Hunter, he and Silva met in full panic mode, to consider how they could mount the Kids Without a Country Exhibit without the direct participation of the other three artists. At this point, the words, "What Now, Jose?" were added to the title of the show. A powerful exhibit has been put together with the works that Hunter and Silva have managed to collect.
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