University Press (Beaumont, Tex.), Vol. 78, No. 27, Ed. 1 Wednesday, February 6, 2002 Page: 3 of 6
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University Press • Wednesday, February 6,2002 • Page 3
UR] rts
near
actor
Art exhibit nothing to be afraid of
Review
Angela Johnson
UP staff writer
When I saw the invitation to “Fear
Factor,” featuring paintings by Lamar
senior Cecelia Johnson and local artist
Renee Womack, I began formulating my
own ideas of what fear was. How did it
factor into my own life." I didn’t really
think it did.There aren't many things I’m
afraid of, sans circus clowns, and extreme
heights.
The exhibition opened with a recep-
tion Saturday at The Art Studio in down-
town Beaumont.
When I arrived I entered through
the back. There's a patio off the gallery,
where patrons can smoke. I like to enter
this way to hear whether the work being
displayed is causing people to talk.
I walked through the show and
noticed immediately how much the
artists’ work contrasted both visually
and conceptually. Womack’s work seems
to enforce the idea of personal fear and
the weight of overcoming it. Her pieces
seem very introverted, and most seem
solely self-reflective. ■ .
Johnson's work embraces concepts
exceeding personal fear. Actually, her
work appears not to be about fear at all.
It didn't need to be.- U
The extreme contrast of these two
talented artists is the reason the show is
a success.
Walking through the gallery, one
sees a dark, gothic-like quality to
Womack’s work. At first I thought her
pieces only encompassed hopelessness
and despair. Each of her pieces, though,
has one small area that seems to be ded-
icated to finding hope in despair.
As I walked through the show, I
noticed I was searching for the hope in
every piece.
It was always there, increasing visu-
ally as one moves along.
Womack's “Humanity” is a large
coffin-esque piece. It is moving. To see
her work, one might think she is a brood-
ing, dreary person.
However, after speaking with her, I
discovered I was quite wrong. She is very
happy, and even uplifting.
I began to see why the slivers of
hope were in each of her pieces. She also
seems to seek out hope.
Johnson's work takes emotions and
portrays them as human figures. Her
work stems from a figure study she had
been working on last semester.
Looking at her paintings, you'd
never guess these were her first attempts
at figure painting.
Each of her pieces seems extremely
personal, but each also speaks to the
pubic. There are so many levels in each
of her pieces; they do not seem to target
artists only. Her paintings connect to
anyone lucky enough to see them.
“Dawn” features an African-Amer-
ican woman with a stem look of power,
holding an unshaded lamp.
One could interpret this work as a
statement against oppression of black
women — she resembles the Statue of
Liberty. The title references the national
anthem. Another interpretation is that
it-'s a woman getting up at dawn for a
snack.
Johnson's work seems subtly
ambiguous, allowing for interpretation
by the viewer.
This show isn't about being afraid of
something, it is about finding fear in
your daily life, or finding there is no fear
there.
“Fear Factor” is not just a good
show to catch if you have time, but a
show you should go out of your way to
see.
The show is exquisitely executed
and magnificently curated.
It runs through Feb. 23 at The Art
Studio, located at 720 Franklin St. in
downtown Beaumont.
UP Andy Taylor
A crowd gathered at The Art Studio on Saturday for the opening
of “Fear Factor,” an exhibition of paintings by Lamar senior
Cecelia Johnson, left, and local artist Renee Womack.
Ceramicist to lecture this evening in Dishman
Ceramicist Jim Leedy will partici-
pate in a series of events as part of
Gumbo Clay Fest, organized by The
Art Studio in downtown Beaumont.
The event will open with a free lec-
i „re and slide show this evening at the
Dishman Gallery Lecture Hall on the
Lamar campus.
On Thursday, Leedy will visit
Odom Academy, and Friday he will
conduct workshops and demonstra-
tions at The Art Studio, primarily for
high school Students and teachers,
although anyone is welcome to attend.
Leedy will present a full adult
workshop on Saturday at the Studio.
Greg Busceme, Art Studio, direc-
tor, said he scheduled the lecture and
slide show as the first event so atten-
dees can get a chance to get to know
'Leedy.
Many times, when a lecture is at
the end of a workshop, everybody
thinks, “I had no idea what an amazing
man he is and I’m sorry I didn’t know
that before, Busceme said.
Leedy’s reputation as an innovator
has been written about extensively in
arts and ceramics magazines, Busceme
said.
“Jim (Leedy) is one of the pio-
neers of abstract expressionism in
ceramics, Busceme said. “He is part of
that group that shifted the way we view
ceramics. He is one of the historical
characters in this whole process.”
Previous to these artists, ceramics
was purely functional,” he said. “These
guys came along and started throwing
pots against the walls, poking holes in
them, and doing things that make them
non-functional.”
This is the third Gumbo Clay Fest
at the Studio.
Non-ceramicists who may be
unsure about attending the event will
find much about Leedy’s work to
relate to, Busceme said. Leedy also
paints, draws and does lithographs. He
works in a broad range of media,
Busceme said.
“Clay is one of the things (Leedy)
likes to work in a lot,” Busceme said.
“It’s where his love is, but he can talk
to you in all levels.”
Busceme said Leedy is excited
about coming to Beaumont, and local
artists will certainly enjoy getting to
know him.
Busceme is excited about Leedy’s
work with children.
“I do want to work him into
schools and have the children see him,
Busceme said. “I mainly want the
administrations to see him. He has a
really important message about the
importance of art in education.”
Saturday’s workshop is open to the
general public. Participation costs $5
for students and $10 for adults.
The Art Studio is located at 720
Franklin Street in downtown Beau-
mont.
For more information about the
event, call 409-839-5393.
Tri-State
opens at
Art League
The Tri-State Plus exhibition, fea-
turing a diverse selection of
works, including “Head #3,” left,
by Kathy Amy, is on display at the
Beaumont Art League through
Feb. 28. The league is located at
2675 Gulf Street, on the
Fairgrounds.
UPAndy Taylor
Start ’em young
Tim Rollins, right, sizes up a young, may-be potential artist
during a reception to open an exhibition of his work at the
Dishman Gallery on Saturday. Rollins, a founding member of
the Art and Knowledge Workshop, is this semester’s artist-in-
residence. He was on campus last week, giving a series of
lectures and conducting workshops.
UPAndy Taylor
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Chand, Daniel. University Press (Beaumont, Tex.), Vol. 78, No. 27, Ed. 1 Wednesday, February 6, 2002, newspaper, February 6, 2002; Beaumont, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth500893/m1/3/?q=Lamar+University: accessed June 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Lamar University.