President Obama Gives Helen Zughaib's Painting to Iraq
President Barack Obama gave Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki of Iraq, a painting by Arab American and DC area artist, Helen Zughaib, at the White House during his recent visit. As a gift between the two countries, her painting “Midnight Prayers” symbolizes the countries’ relations. Zughaib’s art work is currently on display at The Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development in Washington, D.C. as well as at Finding Beauty In A Broken World: In the Spirit of Frida Kahlo exhibition that I juried at the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery at Smith Farm in Washington, DC (1632 U St NW or 202-483-8600).
For Zughaib, this is a notable development in her artistic career, yet it is not without precedent. Two years ago, one of her paintings, “Reconciliation,” was given to President George W. Bush by then Lebanese Parliamentarian (and current Prime Minister) Saad Hariri as an official gift from Lebanon.
Zughaib, who was born in Beirut, Lebanon, said the piece Obama gave to Iraq is about the prospects for peace she sees in faith. Zughaib was inspired by the Muslim “call to prayer one hears in the Middle East.”
She added, “The beauty of the call to prayer, combined with the rich detail of intricate Islamic designs in blues and greens, symbolize the beauty and lushness of the Arab world. As always, it is a painting that reflects my hopes for peace and tranquility in that region.”
Zughaib helped curate the current exhibit at The Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development. The exhibit is called "Gaza Conversations" and runs until September 4th. She helped put it together at the group’s Foggy Bottom-based facilities.
She said the exhibit “is meant to focus attention on the situation in Gaza.” There are three artists showcasing their work in the exhibit, which has drawn many visitors--further showing the artist’s increasing prominence.
Zughaib, like her art, has served as a bridge between nations. For instance, she served as United States Cultural Envoy to the West Bank, Palestine. She said, “My intention as an artist, especially after 9/11, is to further the dialogue between East and West, continue to try to understand each other and bring people together in conversation with the hope of mutual understanding, acceptance and respect.”
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
14th Street Gallery Blues
Jessica Dawson has a really informative article in the Washington Post on the issue of the various 14th Street gallery cluster in DC that are facing relocation due to rising rents.
Good news is that G Fine Art is not closing, as previously reported, but relocating.
The article had a mistake on the monthly rentals that has been corrected since it was published. The corrections are at the top of the article here.
New BMA Curator
Doreen Bolger, Director of The Baltimore Museum of Art, has announced the appointment of my good friend Kristen Hileman as Curator of Contemporary Art and Department Head of this important collection. Currently Associate Curator at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, Hileman will begin her position at the BMA on November 2, 2009.
"Since its inception, collecting and presenting contemporary art has been an important part of the BMA's mission" said BMA Director Doreen Bolger. "Kristen Hileman continues this incredible legacy, bringing experience working with artists on collaborative projects and a familiarity with Baltimore's cultural community that will serve the Museum well as she guides our contemporary program for future generations."
During her eight years at the Hirshhorn, Hileman undertook projects on the work of Cai Guo-Qiang, Jim Hodges, and Oliver Herring in the Directions series in 2004, 2005, and 2006; organized the exhibition Ways of Seeing: John Baldessari Explores the Collection in 2006; and co-organized with other Hirshhorn curators The Cinema Effect: Illusion, Reality, and the Moving Image-Realisms in 2008, publishing an essay for the catalogue. Most recently, Hileman organized Strange Bodies: Figurative Works from the Hirshhorn Collection, which is on view until November 9. On October 8, 2009, the Hirshhorn will open Anne Truitt: Perception and Reflection, a major exhibition which she has organized and for which she has written the catalogue.
Hileman began her career at the Hirshhorn as a fellow in 2001, was named an Assistant Curator in 2003, and Associate Curator in 2007. Before joining the Hirshhorn staff she was a Curator at the Arlington Arts Center in Virginia. She has also held positions as an adjunct faculty member at the Corcoran College of Art and Design and George Washington University. She is a graduate of American University with a MA in Art History from the University of Maryland at College Park. In addition to her responsibilities at the Hirshhorn, Kristen has served as a juror for many exhibitions in the Mid-Atlantic region as well as a visiting critic at the Maryland Institute College of Art and at Virginia Commonwealth University. She has also published numerous articles and reviews.
One of Hileman's first projects will be coordinating the BMA's showing of Andy Warhol: The Last Decade, first U.S. museum survey of Warhol's late paintings. This five-venue nationally touring exhibition is organized by the Milwaukee Art Museum and scheduled to open in Baltimore in October 2010.The Museum has one of the largest collections of late works by Warhol in the United States and is a major lender to the exhibition.
Congrats to Hileman!
Artomatically speaking
Artomatic 2009 came to a triumphant close July 5, smashing records and making headlines. During the 28 days of art, music, and revelry, AOM had over 76,000 visitors to the 10th anniversary event - a new record high!
Need more proof that Artomatic 2009 was the hottest ticket in town?
AOM filled 10 floors and 275,000 square feet of space with displays by over 1,000 artists. They rocked it out, danced it up and had a grand ol' time with over 600 live performances, 20 artists tours and two socials. There were even a record-number of events for the younger set (aka artists in training), with 54 kids workshops ranging from dioramas to mobile-making.
"I'm Also a Beauty Queen" by Brian Lusher
And currently "The Best of Artomatic" is attracting attention at my old gallery, check out the most recent review here.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
DC gallery to close relocate
Just read at G.p. that the District's G Fine Art gallery will close at the end of the current show.
Update: Dawson in the WaPo writes that G will relocate, not close, as interpreted by me from the G.p. post. Relocation due to rising rent
Update 2: Capps expands on his post here.
