Contemporary Art: Folklore, Fakelore, Personal Myths & Narratives
This exhibition is a survey of artists working in the field of visual storytelling throughout the United States. Sixty contemporary artists are represented presenting new myths and tall tales, personal narratives and contemporary craft.
Artists in the exhibition: Karen A Gaudette, Robin Adsit, Ellery Akers, Jessica Alazraki, Hilda Alsabrook, Magnolia Altamirano, Stephanie Angelo, Norman Aragones, Marsha Balian, Brandin Barón, Molly Blauvelt, Jovanna Briscoe, Catherine Carlton, Denise Cerro, Therese Cipiti Herron, Helen Cox, Bronle Crosby, Jessica Damsky, Christopher Daniggelis, Elaine Dunham, John Flores, Norman Gabitzsch , Ronald Gonzalez, Julia C R Gray, Florence Gray-Ybarra, Linda Guenste, Lindsay Hirsch, Jennifer Hoffecker, Ariane Hudson, Adrian Huth, Julie Jenkins, NTKLASS, Terri Lloyd, Aimée Medina Carr, Ania Modzelewski, Trini Morales, Elena Mukhina Rumyantseva, Mary Nash, Lee Oliver, Celena Peet, Lori Polak, Kari Rives, Eugene Rodriguez, Oscar Rodriguez, Joan Ryan, Karla Rydrych, Séraphine, Michael Sharber, Marc Sirinsky, Rabbia Sukkarieh, Maryam Tafreshi, Cheryl Tall, James Vogel, Amy Vulfovich, Jocelyn G Weeks, Mason Weiss, Louise Williams, Michelle Williams, Cynthia Winters, Gigi Woodward and Evany Zirul.
The selection process went on for several days as events of the world began to dominate the airways with war, famine, history, weather, the environment and the current state of affairs. Ultimately, related past, present and possibly future concerns addressed by the various artworks became more prominent in my thinking. – Juror, Patrick Ela
“Crown” by John Flores
JUROR: PATRICK ELA
PATRICK ELA is a former museum director, public art consultant, and appraiser of fine art accredited by the American Society of Appraisers.
MR. PATRICK ELA began his impressive career in his early 20’s. First working s curator for the innovative Los Angeles based lithographic/printmaking publishing house, GEMINI, where he was personally worked alongside “invited artists” such as Jasper Johns, Claes Oldenburg, Frank Stella, Ellsworth Kelly, Roy Lichtenstein and Robert Rauschenberg. These “artist invitations” to work at GEMINI directly in process alongside Ela and staff were eagerly sought after. Many of these artists became personal friends of his. After he left GEMINI, he became an Educator for LACMA. Next he become the Director of Los Angeles’ CAFAM (Craft and Folk Art Museum, currently Los Angeles Craft Contemporary) for 25 years where he curated many exhibitions among other responsibilities. Since retiring he is currently Personal Property Governor for the American Society of Appraisers.
Museum associate for the exhibition: Lisa Bebi
DIGITAL CATALOG LINKS: catalog 1, catalog 2
Julia C R Gray We Are Cyborg