Kaleidoscope Featured Artists

I created a video of the Kaleidoscope artists work. The exhibit features the artwork of seven Black Artists of DC members - Daniel Brooking, Maria Marable-Bunch, Adjoa Burrowes, Carolyn Goodridge, Russell Simmons, Magruder Murray, and Jeffery Boston Weatherford. It can be viewed on YouTube by pasting this url in your browser: http://youtu.be/K_a_qDZck8M

A Transformation

I've started to play with food packaging to create my sculptures. This was created using a Lipton tea box and magazine pages. I like the color play inherent in the printing.

Kaleidoscope Reflection

I had the opportunity to curate the Kaleidoscope exhibit in the lobby gallery of Publick Playhouse January 6 - March 13, 2015. The exhibit features the artwork of seven Black Artists of DC members - Daniel Brooking, Maria Marable-Bunch, Adjoa Burrowes, Carolyn Goodridge, Russell Simmons, Magruder Murray, and Jeffery Boston Weatherford.

When reflecting on the theme I was drawn to the kaleidoscope for many reasons, including its appeal that reaches back to childhood. Holding the hollow, long cylinder filled with small, colored objects such as glass or beads, to the light, was awe inspiring. Peering into one end, and observing the vibrant symmetrical patterns that resulted from light entering the other, was magical. As the tube is rotated again and again, more patterns result from the reflection off the mirrors placed inside at different angles. The kaleidoscope can be a metaphor for many things. An artist can approach it from various angles and choose to focus on one or more qualities it holds. The object and word is ripe for many interpretations. Each of the artists was invited to reflect on the theme as they saw fit.

Behind the Scenes Freedom Prints

Hand pulled print on Japanese paper.

My presentation, Freedom Prints was given October 22, 2014 at the Corcoran School of Arts and Design in Washington D.C. that featured the artwork as well as the motivation behind my series of woodcut prints. The imagery in the woodcuts were inspired by interviews I conducted with selected family members including my daughter, youngest son and niece about their conceptions of freedom. The series grew out of a large-scale collaborative project I participated in during the summer of 2014 that included faculty and students from the University of Maryland, Corcoran and community members at TheArc in southeast D.C. During the presentation I gave a behind the scenes look  my art process including initial pencil sketches, cut-out paper stencils, journal reflections, poetry and some of the printing process.

The Essence of Freedom

Drawing inspiration from President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s famous ‘Four Freedoms’ speech, this exhibition examines the essence of "freedom," or lack thereof, through visual imagery, stories, poems, and oral interviews. Monumental steamroller-printed woodcuts were created by students from the Corcoran, the University of Maryland, and members of THEARC community and are displayed in The Art Gallery’s back gallery. - See more at: http://www.artgallery.umd.edu/exhibition/carving-out-freedom-piecing-community#sthash.DMwTV8ti.dpuf

This was one of the first sculptures created in my cross media class at the Corcoran. We were challenged to create a hand held sculpture that works on all sides using recycled material and NOT using any tape or adhesives or scissors. It seemed natural to photograph this in a natural setting. The art was playful and whimsical. 

Carving Out Freedom

The fruits of our collective labor on display at the University of Maryland Art Gallery. Check out the opening on Wednesday, September 3, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., UMD, College Park.
http://www.artgallery.umd.edu/exhibition/carving-out-freedom-piecing-community

Interpreting Freedom

In my studio, I worked on several woodcuts based on conversations I had with family members this summer about Freedom. Their interpretations were very interesting. I love the physicality of woodcuts. I'm still a printmaker by nature.

Monster Prints on Community Day

Our team's fabulous collaborative woodcut fresh from the steamroller.

Placing the large sheet of paper over the woodblock.

Rolling over the huge woodblock that had been covered with cloth.

Carefully releasing the print from the plate.

All the hard work designing, carving and proofing our large-scale woodblocks based on the concept of freedom paid off on Community Print Day on Saturday, June 21, 2014 at the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC) in Washington D.C. Four design teams consisting of Corcoran College of Art and Design and University of Maryland students and faculty, ArtReach and members of the community steamroll printed their 4' x 8' images at THEARC in Washington, D.C.

Art via Post

Done! Posted my two 6" x 9.5" envelopes embellished with tempera paint, paste and tissue paper today at a local mailbox. That was fun! I join artists from around the world using envelopes as their canvas to make their own unique artistic expressions.

The Envelope as Canvas

 

I'm in the studio working on some paste paper designs on envelopes for the Envelope as a Canvas - Show and Book of Mail Art. The Art via Post project unites artists internationally of various ages and mediums that send artwork in the form of mail. The envelope or package is the art and the envelope serves as the canvas. The deadline is June 1. I'll keep you posted. No pun intended. 

Less is More Premiere Opening

Premiere Opening of "Less is More: Small Works in a Great Space"

May 28, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

The Premiere Opening to "Less is More", a national juried exhibition at the Mitchell Gallery at St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland. The exhibition runs from May 28 - June 15, 2014

Guests of the Premiere Opening have the first opportunity to purchase the original artwork on display at the exhibit. The "Less is More: Small Works in a Great Space" exhibition features small original works of art in a variety of media including paintings, fine jewelry, sculptures, and more.

The distinguished juror of the exhibition, Domenic Iacono, is the director of Syracuse University Art Galleries. In addition to having curated several exhibitions, and written numerous print catalogs over the years, Iacono teaches in the graduate museum studies program at Syracuse University, where his area of special interest is the history and curatorship of prints.

For more information or tickets, call 410-626-2536.

Less Is More

Adjoa Burrowes, '"The Land Knows" Mixed media cut-paper collage. 7" x 7"  (2013)

One of my collages, "The Land Knows" was recently accepted in the National Juried Exhibition, Less Is More: Small Works in a Great Space, May 28 - June 15, 2014 at Mitchell Gallery, Annapolis, MD. Over 235 artists from 35 states submitted 627works for juror Dominic Iocono's consideration.
Check out the online gallery   http://themitchellgallery.org/sales/

A Case of the Reds

In spite of the snow yesterday, the Opening Reception for the exhibition A Case of the Reds at Maryland Arts Day 2014 took place in Annapolis, MD at the House Office Building, Prince George's Delegation Suite. I have two mixed media collages in the exhibition along with 17 other featured artists. The exhibition will run through April 9, 2014.

Adjoa Burrowes, Atomic Woman No. 29, No. 1 and 2.
Monoprint with copper wire.

Countdown to Exhibition Opening

I dropped off my two large scale paintings at the Pepco Edison Place gallery yesterday in preparation for the upcoming FROM THE ASHES: Rebirth of the Human Spirit exhibition February 11 - March 4, 2014. The opening reception is Saturday, February 15 from 5- 8:00 p.m. Each of the 12 artists included in the exhibition had large banners of reproductions of their art displayed in the gallery's store front window. 

I'm on a Roll... February/March Exhibitions

February is turning out to be a month full of great art opportunities for me. I have large scale paintings, mixed media collages and artists books represented in these three exhibitions in February.


A Case of the Reds 
Maryland House of Delegates
Annapolis, MD
January 6 - April 9, 2014
Opening reception, Thursday, Feb 13
3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
House Office Building
Prince George's Delegation Suite
6 Bladen Street, Annapolis MD

From the Ashes: Rebirth of the Human Spirit
Pepco Edison Place Gallery
702 - 8th St. NW
Washington, DC
February 11 through March 4
Opening reception, Saturday, Feb 15
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

The Printed Page
An International juried exhibition of book works and broadsides
Abecedarian Gallery
Denver, Colorado
February 21 through April 5

Opening reception, Saturday, Feb 21
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

 

Joy in the Morning

I named this abstract acrylic painting Joy in the Morning (24" x 78"). Using both soft and dark contrasting colors, line, implied shapes, texture and rhythm, I tried to signify the feeling of hope and the possibility of redemption after a difficult ordeal. A womb-like shape, referencing man's primordial beginnings, emerges from a dark murky bottom into the sunrise of impending promise. This painting, created in January, will be included in the exhibit  "From the Ashes: Rebirth of the Human Spirit" February 11 - March 4, 2014 in Washington D.C. 

From The Ashes: Rebirth of the Human Spirit

    











Two of my new large door paintings "Trans-Immersion" and "Joy In The Morning" along with one work on paper "Better Days Ahead" will be exhibited in the group show From The Ashes: Rebirth of the Human Spirit at Pepco Edison Place Gallery, 702 8th Street N.W. in Washington D.C. from February 11 through March 4, 2014. The opening reception will be held, Saturday, February 15, 5 - 8:00 p.m.

An Autobiography of Social Justice Art Education

My altered book "An Autobiography of Social Justice Art Education" is on view through February 9 with other artwork by Art Education students at the Corcoran College of Art+Design in the White Walls Gallery. This book was created last summer for an Art and Social Justice class. 

I'm Getting There

I'm feeling a lot better about the direction this painting is going. The elements seem to flow better. I like the translucency of the bottom portion and what's happening with the dark elements in the middle. 

Mo Better Painting

As I studied my painting in progress, I decided to soften the top section and add more textured elements. At the bottom I wanted to make the painting look fluid and give the feeling of being immersed in water.

When and Where We Enter

I've always wanted to paint big. When I was invited to show some of my paintings at a large gallery space in D.C.'s Chinatown in February, it gave me just the push to bring my desire to life. I decided to buy some doors and paint on that. I liked the idea of wood and what doors signify. I think doors are metaphors for so many things, such as impediments in life or on the other hand, openings for new opportunities to enter.

Beginnings of my painting "Trans-Immersion" for the From The Ashes: Rebirth of the Human Spirit exhibition February 11 - March 4, 2014 at Pepco Edison Gallery Place, Washington, D.C.