| Art League Houston |
Press Release |
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Art League Houston Announces
Blind Philosophy
Paintings by Wayne Gilbert
Curated by Gus Kopriva, 2007 Texas Patron of the Year
Art League Houston is pleased to announce Blind Philosophy
, featuring works by Wayne Gilbert, and curated by Gus Kopriva, the 2007 Texas Patron of the Year, October 25, 2007, 6-8 p.m. beginning with a talk by Wayne Gilbert and Gus Kopriva at 6 p.m. Blind Philosophy is a one-night exhibition of over 33 works Gilbert has created using human ashes over the past 7 years. A catalogue, with essays by Gus Kopriva, Catherine Anspon, and Susan Albert accompanies the exhibition. Selections from the series will remain on view through December 14, 2007.
Both Wayne and Gus are stalwart figures in the Houston art community. As a young man, Wayne Gilbert worked as an oilfield supply company branch manager. In 1979, he and his wife Beverly took an art class from Houston botanist, illustrator and artist Chester Snowden (1900-1984). "It was during this first visit [to Chester's studio] that I had an epiphany." By 1982, that epiphany had grown into a full blown passion. Gilbert quit his job and went back to the University of Houston to study art, graduating with a BFA in Painting in 1988.
Since the beginning, Wayne has believed that art is endowed with magical qualities that have the capacity to provide humanity with endless means to substantiate their very being. When he first started making work, Wayne searched for an aesthetic that would give voice to this belief. Initially he made "art from all kinds of materials ... trying to establish some ideas that might fulfill my personal commitment." On a fall day in 1998, it occured to Wayne that he could use human remains in the constructions of his paintings, which would provide the "mystical medium" he was searching for -- "the essence of a human being," integral to his work and philosophy.
The human ashes that Gilbert uses in his paintings are either unclaimed cremated remains obtained at funeral homes, or those willed to him by others. For example, the late Houston photographer Susie Paul willed her ashes to the artist, which he then incorporated into a piece "Homage to Photography." After obtaining the cremated material, the ashes and/or bone fragments are then mixed with a resin gel before being applied to the canvas, with each deceased person producing his or her own unique tonal quality. Gilbert says his paintings are a testament to "the people whose remains are at the heart of my work. None of us understand the mystery of life and death, but I hope the viewer sees my art as a confirmation that we all pass the same way ... that the gratification of living outweights the suffering of misfortune and the inevitability of death.
Since embarking on his career as an artist in 1982, Wayne Gilbert has shown his work in galleries and museums across the State and around the world. His over 60 shows include exhibitions at El Museo Provincial Emilio Barcardi Moreau de Satiago in Cuba, The New Braunsfels Museum of Art and Music, Shanghai Art Museum, and the Museo de Nacio in Lima, Peru among many others. In addition to being an artist, Wayne is the curator/owner of GGallery and co-owner of Digital Imaging Group in Houston.
Blind Philosophy curator Gus Kopriva is the 2007 Texas  Patron of the Year. Each year Art League Houston honors those whose work or patronage has had a significant and positive impact on contemporary visual arts in Texas. In 1983, ALH created the Texas Artist of the Year award as a dynamic and informative annual project documenting Texas art history. Since then, twenty-three outstanding artists and four exceptional patrons have been presented with this award. Both Gus, and 2007 Texas Artist of the Year Dixie Friend Gay will be honored at Art League Houston's Grand Masque Ball on November 17, 2007.
Trained as an engineer, Kopriva began his visual arts career in 1981 as Board member of the original Lawndale Art Annex at the University of Houston, working with artist James Surls. He balances a career as Engineering Director for Dow Chemical with an equally active career in the arts. He is a fervent collector of Pre Columbian, Contemporary, German Expressionism, French Symbolism, and American WPA art; has curated over fifty regional, national, and international exhibitions; and is the owner of Redbud Gallery. Kopriva has recently organized exhibitions focusing on Texas visual art for museums in Cuba, China, Peru, Germany and Texas. He has served on a number of boards in a variety of capacities, including Treasurer for the former Houston Municipal Arts Commission, Project Manager for The Orange Show Foundation, and Residency Program Coordinator for Lawndale Arts Center, among many others. In addition to owning Redbud Gallery, curating exhibitions all over the world, collecting art, and serving on boards, Gus has organized major fundraising efforts for the arts and published exhibition catalogues. Born in Baden-Baden, Germany as a U.S. citizen in 1948, Gus has lived in Houston sinxe 1948. He has been married for 37 years to well-known artist and ALH 2001 Texas Artist of the Year, Sharon Kopriva.
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About Art League Houston
Art League Houston is one of Houston's longest operating non-profit visual arts organizations and was the first alternative art space in Texas. Founded in 1948 and incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1953, Art League Houston (ALH) was created to promote the public appreciation of and interest in the visual arts. During the past 57 years, ALH has provided over 760 exhibitions to the Houston community, showcased the work of nearly 22,200 artists, and instructed over 35,000 students through the Art League School and Outreach Program.
Our Mission
The mission of Art League Houston is to cultivate awareness, appreciation, and accessibility of contemporary visual art within the community for its cultural enrichment. Art League Houston provides an opportunity for all members of the community to experience the contemporary visual arts. We achieve our mission through exhibitions, education, and .outreach programs.
Art League Houston programming is made possible through the estate of William G. Daugherty, The Houston Endowment, Inc., City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance, Joan Hohlt & J. Roger Wich, Kevin & Laurie Foxx, John P. McGovern Foundation, Nora & Bob Ackerley, Art Colony Association/Bayou City Art Festivals, The American-Scandinavian Foundation, Drew Baird, Becker Family Foundation, the Ann Bengtson Memorial Fund, Norman & Kelly Bering, Blumenthal Sheet Metal, Brad & Leslie Bucher, Marv & Billie Chasen, Moriah & Rod Crosby, Darrell & Peggy Delahoussaye, Tom Edens, Ray C. Fish Foundation, Hugh & Berthica Fitzsimons, Kat Gallagher & Michael Rudelson, Gallery M Squared Inc., Alice C. Boyd Gano, Courtney Glasscock, Nick & Candice Goodwin, Rob Greenstein, James & Ann Harithas, Harris County Department of Education, International Bank of Commerce, Kinder Foundation, Susan Magnani Apple, Kenneth & Elena Marks, Mark & Gretchen Mazziotti, McCoy Workplace Solutions, Betty Moody & Bill Steffy, National MS Society Lone Star Chapter, Mark Nitcholas, Don & Crystal Owens, Donald & Mary Ellen Podoloff, Allan & Peggy Port, Royal Norwegian Consulate General, Louisa Stude Sarofim, Judy Sauer, Fred & Wendy Schiller, Tahamia Spain, Steve & Susie Streller, Texas Art Supply, Texas Commission on the Arts, Top Drawer Lingerie, Kathryn Sherman Ttee, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Jim & Beth Wiggins, Fred & Carol Williamette, Michael & Nina Zilkha, our sponsors, members and volunteers.
Art League Houston 1953 Montrose Boulevard Houston Texas 77006
713-523-9530 alh@artleaguehouston.org www.artleaguehouston.org
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