Jia Wang: Residual Imprint

Join us for an exhibition of new work by Jia Wang. Jia’s work explores the traumatic memories that are prevalent in a family. Examining and displaying how trauma is revealed through complex family relationships and how it alters an individual and a family’s identity when visualized. Her work addresses both a personal and cultural perspectives, through site-specific installation comprised of video, collage, and photographic images.

In Jia’s work, she exploring domestic violence and sharing her visual inquiry into trauma through personal storytelling. These stories are both past’s future and future’s past, physically and psychologically speaking. In traditional Chinese culture, the family is the most basic unit and many aspects of Chinese life can be tied to honoring one’s parents or ancestors. Family practices, such as interactions between family members and disciplinary actions, are passed down from one generation to another. Family is the most intimate relationship but also the most confusing as love and hostility can be difficult to separate.

About Jia Wang:
Jia Wang was born in Lanzhou, Gnasu Province, China. She holds a BFA in Photography from the Beijing Film Academy, Beijing, China and an MFA in Imaging Arts from the Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY. Jia has exhibited internationally including in the Three Shadows Photography Art Center, Beijing, China, the Yeiser Art Center, Pauducah, KY, and the PH21 Gallery in Budapest, Hungary. Her art work has published in Art Maze Mag, UK, ArtAscent Magazine, USA, and the PhotoWorld magazine, China. Residences include the Chanorth Residency Program and the Crosstown Arts Residency Program. In Fall 2019, Jia will participate in the Bronx Museum’s AIM (Artist in the Marketplace) Program.

TOMORROW at The Green Room at Crosstown Arts! Come hear the TULSA REVUE featuring John Fullbright, Paul Benjaman, Jacob Tovar & special guest Jesse Aycock! Experience individual sets from each artist with a supporting cast of players, as the the evening wraps with all joining together for a family jam of epic proportion.

 

Scott Carter: Counterpoint

Join us for an exhibition of new work by Scott Carter. The artist’s intent is that this body of work reflects a fragile intertwining of music, performance, and sculpture while reflecting both digital and intuitive methods of problem solving in the studio.

About the exhibition:
This exhibition emphasizes a relationship between disparate voices. As a metaphor, these
voices represent contrasting and divergent forms of the artist’s creative practice. Carter’s
interest in music, performance and sculpture oscillates between utter failure, disinterest and frustration to moments where both practices seemingly make sense existing in the same place, both physically and metaphorically. This body of work represents the struggle to produce in both creative fields.

During his recent residency at Crosstown Arts, Carter was allowed the freedom and space to work intuitively and pursue both of these creative endeavors with the assistance of digital tools and advanced fabrication equipment. The artist’s intent is that this body of work reflects a fragile intertwining of music, performance and sculpture while reflecting both digital and intuitive methods of problem solving in the studio.


Artist statement:
The connections between humans and the built environment interest me, serving as the
primary source material for my work. I formulate thoughtful assessments of my environment, exploring connections between art, design and sound.

The physical development of my work is related to a tactile sense for materials. Through
the process of examining materials and their function, I am interested in bestowing new
value and subverting function. My practice often involves a re-purposing of materials ranging from drywall, carpet, and fluorescent lights to used guitars, drum sets, and
electronic components. Metaphorically, these material transitions allow me to explore my
interests in the way we experience culture, objects and physical environments.


About the artist:
SCOTT CARTER (b. 1984, United States) is a Wisconsin-based artist, whose work is influenced by the experience of living amongst mass-produced materials, spaces and objects that are inherent in contemporary architecture and design. His work manifests as immersive installations and interactive objects that facilitate subtle shifts in value and attempt to redefine utility in relation to everyday experiences. His practice parallels contemporary discourse in art, design, architecture, and sound.

Scott received his MFA in Sculpture from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in
2011, where he was the first recipient of the Eldon Danhausen Fellowship for Sculpture.
He has attended funded residencies at the Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, Vermont and the Ox Bow School of Art in Saugatuck, Michigan. In addition he is a recipient of the Efroymson Contemporary Arts Fellowship for Midwestern artists (2013) and a first place recipient of the Beers Contemporary Emerging Artist Award in Sculpture (2013)

Selected solo shows include include Velocity – Linda Warren Projects, Chicago, Il (2017); The Nature of Being – Pinnacle Gallery, Savannah, Ga (2015); The Shape of Things – Beers Contemporary, London (2014); Disonar – Evanston Art Center, Evanston, Il (2013) and Force Majeure – Linda Warren Projects, Chicago, Il (2012); Recent group exhibitions include as site specific installation for In Situ and Linda Warren Projects at Expo Chicago (2014), Building Stories – Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan WI (2014) and I am What I am Doing – La Esquina Gallery, Kansas City, MO (2014).

In addition, he was a visiting artist as part of DeFINE Art 2015 at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah Georgia and recently completed a three month residency as part of the Kohler Arts/Industry program in Kohler, Wisconsin.

Opening Reception — Scott Carter: Counterpoint

Join us for an exhibition of new work by Scott Carter. The artist’s intent is that this body of work reflects a fragile intertwining of music, performance, and sculpture while reflecting both digital and intuitive methods of problem solving in the studio.

About the exhibition:
This exhibition emphasizes a relationship between disparate voices. As a metaphor, these
voices represent contrasting and divergent forms of the artist’s creative practice. Carter’s
interest in music, performance and sculpture oscillates between utter failure, disinterest and frustration to moments where both practices seemingly make sense existing in the same place, both physically and metaphorically. This body of work represents the struggle to produce in both creative fields.

During his recent residency at Crosstown Arts, Carter was allowed the freedom and space to work intuitively and pursue both of these creative endeavors with the assistance of digital tools and advanced fabrication equipment. The artist’s intent is that this body of work reflects a fragile intertwining of music, performance and sculpture while reflecting both digital and intuitive methods of problem solving in the studio.


Artist statement:
The connections between humans and the built environment interest me, serving as the
primary source material for my work. I formulate thoughtful assessments of my environment, exploring connections between art, design and sound.

The physical development of my work is related to a tactile sense for materials. Through
the process of examining materials and their function, I am interested in bestowing new
value and subverting function. My practice often involves a re-purposing of materials ranging from drywall, carpet, and fluorescent lights to used guitars, drum sets, and
electronic components. Metaphorically, these material transitions allow me to explore my
interests in the way we experience culture, objects and physical environments.


About the artist:
SCOTT CARTER (b. 1984, United States) is a Wisconsin-based artist, whose work is influenced by the experience of living amongst mass-produced materials, spaces and objects that are inherent in contemporary architecture and design. His work manifests as immersive installations and interactive objects that facilitate subtle shifts in value and attempt to redefine utility in relation to everyday experiences. His practice parallels contemporary discourse in art, design, architecture, and sound.

Scott received his MFA in Sculpture from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in
2011, where he was the first recipient of the Eldon Danhausen Fellowship for Sculpture.
He has attended funded residencies at the Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, Vermont and the Ox Bow School of Art in Saugatuck, Michigan. In addition he is a recipient of the Efroymson Contemporary Arts Fellowship for Midwestern artists (2013) and a first place recipient of the Beers Contemporary Emerging Artist Award in Sculpture (2013)

Selected solo shows include include Velocity – Linda Warren Projects, Chicago, Il (2017); The Nature of Being – Pinnacle Gallery, Savannah, Ga (2015); The Shape of Things – Beers Contemporary, London (2014); Disonar – Evanston Art Center, Evanston, Il (2013) and Force Majeure – Linda Warren Projects, Chicago, Il (2012); Recent group exhibitions include as site specific installation for In Situ and Linda Warren Projects at Expo Chicago (2014), Building Stories – Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan WI (2014) and I am What I am Doing – La Esquina Gallery, Kansas City, MO (2014).

In addition, he was a visiting artist as part of DeFINE Art 2015 at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah Georgia and recently completed a three month residency as part of the Kohler Arts/Industry program in Kohler, Wisconsin.

Opening Reception for Negative Space

Exhibition of works in the miniscule spaces around the first and second floor of Crosstown Concourse in the Central and East Atria. Curated by Crosstown Arts resident artist Aubree Penney. On view through August 25.

Featured artists: Sully Allen, Jesse Butcher, Zahria Cook, Dehanza, Mulanre “Eddie” Gan, Mary Jo Karimnia, Melanie Manos, Jeremiah Matthews and Kayla Selby, Natalie Minik, Alex Paulus, Cat Peña, Nick Peña, Terri Phillips, Corkey Sinks, Joey Slaughter, Jessica Weaver, Terri Weaver, and Tad Lauritzen Wright.

Engaging with the architecture and history of Crosstown and the residues of both its predecessor Sears and its subsequent transformation, group exhibition Negative Space operates within unused miniscule spaces in public areas of Crosstown Concourse. Numerous holes, nails, and small architectural elements pockmark walls and columns, bearing evidence of past usage. Negative Space invites current Artists in Residence at Crosstown Arts as well as local community artists to embrace these underutilized spaces for art display. Negative Space offers artists and audience members an opportunity both to explore the Concourse and to consider scale and intimacy in public art display.

This opening event is part of the Crosstown Arts Resident Artist Showcase on Thursday, July 25 from 6-9 pm.

Schedule of events:
* 6-9 pm — Opening reception for Negative Space, an art show featuring works in holes and on hooks and architecture shelves on 1st & 2nd floor of Central & East Atria. Curated by resident Aubree Penney.

* 6-7 pm — Open studio for Joey Slaughter in Studio 104 in Shared Art Making

* 7-7:30 pm — A work-in-progress screening for #BlackGirlhood by Dehanza Rogers on East Atrium stage

* 7:30-8 pm — Performance piece by Melanie Manos on second floor of Central Atrium

* 7 pm through the evening — Work by Natalie Minik projected on column in the East Atrium

* 8 pm — Collaborative performance by Eden Wiseman, Ori Dvir, Baishui, and Sarah Ledbetter with an installation by Eden Wiseman and Nick Peña in The Green Room

* 8:40 pm — Theatrical performance by Valerie Houston

* 9 pm — Performance by Melanie Manos in The Green Room

Negative Space

Exhibition of works in the miniscule spaces around the first and second floor of Crosstown Concourse in the Central and East Atria. Curated by Crosstown Arts resident artist Aubree Penney.

Featured artists: Sully Allen, Jesse Butcher, Zahria Cook, Dehanza, Mulanre “Eddie” Gan, Mary Jo Karimnia, Melanie Manos, Jeremiah Matthews and Kayla Selby, Natalie Minik, Alex Paulus, Cat Peña, Nick Peña, Terri Phillips, Corkey Sinks, Joey Slaughter, Jessica Weaver, Terri Weaver, and Tad Lauritzen Wright.

Engaging with the architecture and history of Crosstown and the residues of both its predecessor Sears and its subsequent transformation, group exhibition Negative Space operates within unused miniscule spaces in public areas of Crosstown Concourse. Numerous holes, nails, and small architectural elements pockmark walls and columns, bearing evidence of past usage. Negative Space invites current Artists in Residence at Crosstown Arts as well as local community artists to embrace these underutilized spaces for art display. Negative Space offers artists and audience members an opportunity both to explore the Concourse and to consider scale and intimacy in public art display.

Blind Navigator

Crosstown Arts is pleased to present “Blind Navigator,” an exhibition of new individual and collaborative works by New York-based artist Clare Torina and Memphis-based artist Alex Paulus.

Clare Torina’s recent paintings and objects refer to one another in sequence, symbolism, and mimicry. She pulls from a personal set of fascinations – her dog (Lolita), the Illuminati, basketball, patriarchal painting history, ancient art – and subjugates their representations to a multitude of transitions using color models and plays on style.

Alex Paulus’s pieces address broken things that must be repeatedly fixed or altered to allow them to continue to function. The subject matter ranges from common objects to human emotions to animals nearing extinction. He presents these damaged subjects, which can be overlooked and ignored, that ultimately need to be recognized and reconciled.

At the heart of this exhibition is an acknowledgement of the bewilderment and reformation during creative process. Together, the artists volley to find a metaphor for the act of seeing and being seen while in the throes of malfunction. The blind navigator is the artist, the viewer, and the work itself feeling its way through shadows.

Clare Torina is an interdisciplinary artist living and working in New York. After undergraduate study at the University of Memphis, she received an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and was a resident at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. Her work has been exhibited in New York, Chicago, Memphis, and abroad. Additional information and images of her work can be found at claretorina.com.

Alex Paulus is originally from southeast Missouri, but has been a resident of Memphis, TN since 2007. He received his MFA in 2009 from the Memphis College of Art and has been teaching ever since. Paulus’s work has been shown in numerous galleries in Memphis, Nashville, Dallas, St. Louis, and many others. His work has also been published in Studio Visit magazine and Beautiful/Decay. Additional information and images of his work can be seen at alexanderpaulus.blogspot.com.

Exhibition Press: Memphis Flyer | Commercial Appeal