Behind Our Scenes: Getting Some Press

Thanks to Kurt Shaw of the Tribune Review, Behind Our Scenes had a lovely write-up in the paper this past Sunday. Check it out here.

Behind Our Scenes Continued

Here are some images of Behind Our Scenes courtesy of Tom Little. Thanks Tom!

Also, keep your eye out for a review of the show in this weekend's Tribune Review.

Maps as Portraits

Owen: Providence, RI

2009

Cut Map

I found my inspiration map in a old used book store in Virginia, while I was attending a printmaking conference at VCU. I was instantly attracted to the map, but unsure of what to do with it.

My work at the time was dealing with portraiture and the body. I began to notice the parallels between the lines on one's body (such as fingerprints) and the lines on the map. I started to focus solely on the lines in the maps--I wanted to remove them from the rest of the map and still incorporate the themes of portraiture and the body: thus emerges the If you were a place you'd be... map portrait series.

The map portraits are 2D, cut paper representations of people made out of the road lines of maps. Each model gets to choose which place they would like to be represented as. (Example above)

Two Bostons 2009, Cut map

Moving forward with the maps, I wanted to focus on the material itself and see how I could manipulate it. I decided to make a 3D sculpture of my head out of map. This project took two cut maps of Boston to complete. This sculptural portrait takes on a mask-like quality, which is a concept I'm interested in working with in future projects.

Opening Reception

After a year of planning, Laura and my show, Behind Our Scenes, opened this past Friday. The opening reception was a huge success. Tons of people came for the opening, and everyone had such positive things to say about the show concept and the art. All 34 of the artists in the show should be proud! The band Meeting of Important People and DJ Mary Mack entertained the audience, and the large crowd devoured all of our food and drinks. Seeing the final product made every bit of stress worthwhile.

Visit this flickr link for some wonderful images of the opening courtesy of Jeffrey Perry and City Creative.

Behind Our Scenes has been getting some attention from City Creative, the Pittsburgh Gallery Blog, the Mattress Factory Museum and The Pitt News.

Behind Our Scenes

I've focused my last year in Pittsburgh on trying new things and gaining as much experience in the Pittsburgh art world as I could. One of my goals was to curate a show in the city.

For the past year a friend Laura and I have been working on a show called Behind Our Scenes that opens tomorrow at SPACE gallery in downtown Pittsburgh. Behind Our Scenes showcases 34 artists who also work within museums and galleries in Pittsburgh. We wanted to give these artists working "backstage" at these cultural institutions their own chance in the spotlight.

The opening reception is tomorrow December, 11th from 6-9 PM, and the show will run until February 13, 2010.