Syracuse (January 2007)
Delavan Art Gallery presents the exhibit "The Human Condition" featuring photography and wood cut prints of West Africa by James Albertson, drawings on issues of forced emigration by Joan Carlon, oil paintings by William Finch, drawings on canvas and linen of West African women by Viginia Hovendon and watercolor portraits by Stephen Ryan. The exhibit opens on Thursday, January 25 and continues through Saturday, February 24, 2007.
James Albertson- "Portrait of a Humble Woman" photography
James Albertson spent seven years volunteering and working on issues of sustainable development in West Africa through the United States Peace Corps and The Carter Center, Inc. His work is a compilation of photographs of nomadic people from Mali, West Africa. These portraits depict the often harsh reality of their daily lives. Also included in this exhibition are wood cut prints inspired by the series of photographs. Albertson is currently a graduate student in the Creative Arts Therapy Program at Nazareth College in Rochester, NY. He has a studio art background with an emphasis on illustration and graphic design.
Joan Carlon- "About 7 PM" ink and graphite, 24" x 17"
Joan Carlon's desire to create drawings based on stories of forced emigration was first motivated by the power of the stories themselves. Impacted by personal experiences, Joan Carlon explains in her artist statement, "It seemed natural for me to become interested in history and in the stories of civilians whose lives are irrevocably changed by war; the Vietnamese, Cubans, Bosnians and now Africans from Sudan, Somalia and Liberia. It is the stories of these people that I have collected and that have inspired this group of drawings." The stories come from a collection of tales from newspapers and personal narratives told directly to Carlon. The drawings themselves balance the raw subject matter with Carlon's interest in space, rhythm and strong contrast. As she writes, "The drawings string silhouetted black images, areas of grey wash and graphite pencil across the picture plane and empty spaces."
William Finch- "Shepherd 2" oil paint, 60" x 28"
William Finch paints primarily from a warm, vibrant color palette of oil paints. The subject matter of his work is inspired by what the artist describes as "coming from his own Christian world view." In his artist statement, he writes, "It is with that foundation- whether painting rich and textured floral scenes, capturing snapshots of life, showcasing man's present plight for completion and meaning, or making commentary on the persecuted church... his work reflects the redemptive and points to a final culmination where the undesirable and broken can be made whole." Finch is currently a Design Director at Chase Design in Skaneateles and has previously been employed as an art director in several Central New York advertising agencies. He has been involved in the arts since attending Syracuse University's School of Visual and Performing Arts.
Virginia Hovendon- "In the Shadow" charcoal on canvas, 36.5" x 48"
Virginia Hovendon's large charcoal drawings on canvas and linen of West African women are directly inspired by the photographs of James Albertson, who is also exhibiting during January and February at Delavan Art Gallery. Virginia Hovendon explains her fascination with this imagery this way: "I have always loved portraits, faces and especially faces with hands are extremely compelling to me. If you look at these women, with all their lines and wrinkles, some from the sun and some from time, possible worry, I often wonder if their lives are really so different from our own. There are common threads in the human condition that tie us all together." Hovendon attended Wells College for her undergraduate work in Drawing and Painting and received a Master's degree in Education from Syracuse University. She currently lives in Copenhagen, NY where she teaches art at Copenhagen Central School and serves as Director of the Scholastic Art Awards.
Stephen Ryan- "Trumpet Player" watercolor, 15" x 20"
Stephen Ryan enjoys the challenge of impressionistic, wet-to-wet watercolors. "I've always painted people, because," he explains, "what makes us interesting is how different we all are. There is so much more we can read into a person and situation than into a landscape. However, the best part is hearing what people take away, as an impression, when they view my art. It's as different as the subjects I paint." Stephen Ryan has won many awards for his watercolors and runs his own graphic design studio in Skaneateles, NY. Ryan is also an Adjunct Professor of Art at SUNY Onondaga Community College, teaching Computer Graphics and Advanced Graphic Design.
Delavan Art Gallery is a 3,800 square foot showcase and sales venue for fine art created by area artists. Located in a convenient, downtown location at 501 West Fayette Street, Syracuse, the gallery is free and open to the public. Off-street parking is available and the gallery is handicapped accessible. Delavan Art Gallery opens “The Human Condition” from 5 - 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 25, and is open through February 24 on Thursday and Friday afternoons from 12-6 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. and at other times by appointment.
