East Meets West As UNH Art Gallery Opens A New Season

Contact: Lori Wright
603-862-0574
UNH Media Relations

August 18, 2004



DURHAM, N.H. – East meets West this fall when two exceptional exhibitions, including works rarely seen by American viewers, will open at the University of New Hampshire’s art museum, The Art Gallery.

Works by four renowned master woodblock printmakers from China’s Hebei Province, featured in Realized in Wood: Contemporary Prints from China, present the outlook and concerns of the Chinese people today, with an underlying commentary on the social and political implications brought on by governmental control. The second exhibition, Tabletop Arenas: Still Life Paintings by Zeuxis, highlights works by American still life painters who are members of the Zeuxis group and presents their personal interpretations of tabletop surfaces and objects.

“Through the rich, symbolic content of the Chinese woodblock prints, coupled with the focus on common objects in the works by the Zeuxis painters, we can explore two aspects of the world of art simultaneously. Historic events, artistic expression, social commentary, and masterly techniques all come together under one roof in these two exhibitions that are both thought provoking and visually stimulating,” says Vicki Wright, director of The Art Gallery.

The opening reception for both exhibitions will be held Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004, from 5 – 7:30 p.m. The exhibitions are open to the public free of charge and will remain on view through Oct. 20.

Realized in Wood: Contemporary Prints from China

In Realized in Wood, two generations of artists express their concern for China’s future with a range of personal expression, style and diversity of imagery. Elder artist Dong Jiansheng creates black-and-white woodcuts of stories and subjects common to China’s peasant communities. Li Yanpeng carves the harsh, rugged landscape of the Hebei and Shanxi Provinces to symbolize the lives of people in the area. Teng Yufeng’s meticulous marks produce varying shades and textures that depict the people of northern China. Zhang Minjie’s subjects are approached on a more psychological level — questions are posed about what is seen or perceived using themes of population, production, and politics in a whimsical manner. The exhibition was curated by Renee Covalucci, printmaker and adjunct assistant professor at the Art Institute of Boston.

Tabletop Arenas: Still Life Paintings by Zeuxis

Tabletop Arenas: Still Life Paintings by Zeuxis presents works by the painters of Zeuxis and their guests that focus on the tabletop as an “arena for meditation.” Highlighting the table's surface as an altar, stage, or depiction of domestic life, this thought-provoking exhibition manages to make that familiar surface distinctive, memorable, or wonderfully strange. Along with the 24 Zeuxis artists, seven guest artists are also featured: Lennart Anderson, William Bailey, Ken Kewley, Gabriel Laderman, Langdon Quin, Sandra Stone, and Susannah Phillips.

Art Break Series
Wednesdays, noon - 1 p.m., Paul Creative Arts Center

• Sept. 8: Gallery Talk: Join us for an introduction to the exhibition, Realized in Wood: Contemporary Prints from China by curator Renee Covalucci, printmaker and adjunct assistant professor at the Art Institute of Boston. The Art Gallery
• Sept. 15: Video/Documentary: “Watch China Rising: Roads to Freedom,” the story of Mao's Cultural Revolution, as told by men and women who experienced it. Rm. A219
• Sept. 22: Concert: Capella Alamire performs French chansons from the 15th & 16th centuries. Directed by Peter Urquhart, associate professor of Music. The Art Gallery
• Sept. 29: Slide Lecture/Gallery Walk: “Over the Top” Maine artist Bevin Engman offers a slide lecture on her work and the creative process, followed by a gallery walk through the exhibition, Tabletop Arenas: Still Life Paintings by Zeuxis. A219 and The Art Gallery
• Oct. 6: Performance/Discussion: "Set Adrift," a sneak preview of selections from the Department of Theatre and Dance's upcoming production of the Tony Award winning “Titanic: The Musical.” Rm. A219
• Oct. 13: Discussion: “Four Women: the Historical Sources of Fictional Characters” Discover how N.H. writer Robert J. Begiebing weaves art, history, fact, fictional characters, and life in 19th century Portsmouth together in his dynamic books. His latest work, Rebecca Wentworth’s Distraction, is the October choice for “Between the Lines,” The Art Gallery’s monthly book discussion group. Rm. A219
• Oct. 20: Musical Concert: “Back Bay Guitar Trio” Discover how a steel-stringed guitar, mandolin, and bottleneck slide are used to present an exciting, new approach to classical guitar music. The Art Gallery

“Between the Lines” Book Discussion Group
Thursdays (Monthly), 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. The Art Gallery, Paul Creative Arts Center

• Sept. 16: Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang. The riveting account of three generations of Chinese women’s stories is told.
• Oct. 21: Rebecca Wentworth’s Distraction by Robert J. Begiebing. Colonial Portsmouth is the backdrop for this story of portraitist Daniel Sanborn and his first commission, the daughter of a prominent local family.

The Art Gallery presents exhibitions, related ArtBreak programs and special events, as well as scheduled guided exhibition tours to the general public free of charge. Hours of operation during the academic year are Monday – Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. The museum is closed on Fridays and university holidays.
Guided groups tours for schools, organizations, clubs, and others are available for advanced scheduling by contacting Catherine Wright, Education and Publicity Coordinator, at 603-862-3713 or at catherine.wright@unh.edu. For more information on the exhibits and special events, contact The Art Gallery at 603-862-3712 or at art.gallery@unh.edu.

Editors: The following high-resolution photos are available for downloading.

Realized in Wood: Contemporary Prints from China
http://www.unh.edu/news/img/artgallery/teng_yufeng.jpg
Teng Yu Feng, Lucky Year, 1999, woodcut, 29” x 34”

http://www.unh.edu/news/img/artgallery/dong_jiansheng.jpg
Dong Jiansheng, Da Qi, 2000, woodcut, 41” x 50

http://www.unh.edu/news/img/artgallery/zhang_minjie.jpg
Zhang Minjie , Turning I, (from the series Modern Toys), 2001, color reduction

http://www.unh.edu/news/img/artgallery/li_yanpeng.jpg
Li Yan Peng, Sand Willows, 1997, color reduction,20 x 29"

Tabletop Arenas: Still Life Paintings by Zeuxis
http://www.unh.edu/news/img/artgallery/bevin_engman.jpg
Bevin Engman, Luminous Blindspot, 2003, oil on panel, 16” x 16”

http://www.unh.edu/news/img/artgallery/margaret_mccann.jpg
Margaret McCann, Fight the Power, 2003, oil on linen, 20” x 18”

http://www.unh.edu/news/img/artgallery/carmela_kolman.jpg
Carmela Kolman, Orange Alert, 2003, oil on canvas, 20” x 20”

http://www.unh.edu/news/img/artgallery/ben_frank_moss.jpg
Ben Frank Moss, Still Life Color No. 16, 2003, acrylic, 6” x 5 3/8”