Marvin Francis’ exhibition, “Contemplating Time,” highlighted the incarcerated artist’s minutely detailed papier-maché sculptures. Crafted from toilet paper and glue, Francis’ work engages the unique cultural, psychological, and sexual realities of prison life, but also employs a prison aesthetic to explore concepts that are universal–the passage of time, and the fear of death. His work was on display at Institute 193 from March 8 – May 5, 2012.
All photos courtesy of Coleman Guyon.
‘CONTEMPLATING TIME’ INSTALLATION VIEW
INSTITUTE 193’s CHASE MARTIN INSTALLS MOSER’S WORK AT LATITUDE
Albert Moser, whose detailed geometric drawings were on display at Institute 193 in January/February 2012, is the fifth artist to display work at the One Nail Gallery.
A collaboration between Institute 193 and Latitude Artist Community, the One Nail Gallery is designed to create a dialogue between regional artists and the artists working at Latitude. Institute 193 selects an artist to display work on a single wall in Latitude’s workspace in order to facilitate discussion and inspiration.
This is the first time the One Nail Gallery has exhibited work in Latitude’s new facility, but this show is special for another reason: though Moser currently lives in New Jersey, Bruce Burris and Latitude Artist Community played an important role in encouraging his creativity and promoting his work. Moser’s work has come full circle.
Guy Mendes’ photograph of Wendell Berry has been featured on the cover of the May/June 2012 edition of Humanities, the magazine of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Wendell Berry, a farmer/writer/conservationist who lives in Henry County, Kentucky, has been honored with the distinction of delivering the 2012 Jefferson Lecture on April 23 in Washington, D.C. Berry is a prolific and passionate observer of American society, advocate for environmental responsibility, and all-around wise man. He is also a close friend of Guy Mendes. Look how pleasant he looks in this picture.
If you’d like to watch Wendell’s Jefferson Lecture, you can watch a live webcast on April 23 at 7:30 PM EST.
Two second grade art classes from Sayre School visited the gallery recently to see Marvin Francis’ work. Their reaction was mixed. One particularly bold student declared: “This art makes me want to throw up!” Another little girl was so disturbed that she cried. Yes, an Institute 193 exhibition made a child cry.
Teacher Georgia Henkel initially planned the visit to demonstrate Francis’ use of papier maché, a medium her students have been studying. However, the challenging subject matter of his sculptures presented another learning opportunity. “I think it’s important that they understand art isn’t always pretty. It can also be challenging, provoking, difficult to face.”
ONE OF THESE CHILDREN IS CRYING.
PHOTO CREDIT: MARY REZNY
Rich Copley recently wrote an article in the Lexington Herald-Leader about Institute 193’s current show, ‘Marvin Francis: Contemplating Time.” Copley interviews Institute 193 director Chase Martin and discusses Francis’ use of papier maché, his intense artist focus, and the ways he approaches the concept of time in his work.
Read the article here.
‘Marvin Francis: Contemplating Time’ opened at Institute 193 on March 8. Thanks to everyone who stopped by despite the nasty weather (nasty weather seems to be becoming a theme of Institute 193 openings). Special thanks to Bob Morgan and Roberta Harding for making this show possible, and thanks to Ryan Little for taking these photos. Francis’s incredible papier-maché sculptures will be on display until May 5. Gallery hours are 10-5, Wednesday through Saturday.
WALL TEXT INSTALLATION VIEW
GALLERY PATRONS EXAMINING FRANCIS’ SCULPTURES
‘CONDEMNED MAN IN CAGE,’ A SCULPTURE BY MARVIN FRANCIS
MARVIN FRANCIS: CONTEMPLATING TIME MARCH 8 – MAY 4, 2012 OPENING RECEPTION: MARCH 8, 6-9 PM
Born in Detroit in 1960, Marvin Francis grew up in Tennessee and Kentucky before leaving home at the age of 13. Convicted of murder in 1986, Francis is currently serving a life sentence with possibility of parole in 25 years. While incarcerated at North Point Training Facility in Kentucky, Francis enrolled in an art appreciation course that piqued his interest in papier maché. His earliest sculptures were made from toilet paper and dissolved ramen noodles. Though he is now able to purchase paint, glue, and dowel rods, his work is still crafted from papier maché made with toilet paper. These sculptures address politically charged issues, such as the death penalty, and the unique cultural, psychological, and sexual realities of prison life.
Throughout, Francis utilizes a rich symbolic language to explore a notion of time inextricably linked with punishment and redemption–measured not in days, but in decades. Completely removed from society at large, he labors hundreds of hours over each piece, demonstrating a monk-like reflection and focus that is rare in our increasingly interconnected and distracted culture. Francis’ work speaks to universal human experiences: the unrelenting passage of time and the inevitability of death.
-Chase Martin, Director
In January, Oxford American Magazine asked critics and curators across the South to nominate artists for a feature on emerging Southern artists. Institute 193 was honored to be asked to participate, and thrilled to find that our nominee, Lina Tharsing, was featured in the number 5 spot in the magazine’s “100 New Superstars of Southern Art.”
From the magazine: “Lina Tharsing’s imagination is matched only by her technical skill. Her work is driven by a profound sense of curiosity and a fascination with science, technology, and the natural world. Museum dioramas and found photographs are a few of the many inspirations she renders into line, color, and form. Tharsing is primarily recognized as a painter, but her drawings, photographs, and collages are equally compelling.”
Institute 193 founder Phillip March Jones was also featured in the issue, nominated by the designer Alabama Chanin. Lexington artist Lennon Michalski was included in the list as well, nominated by Ann Tower Gallery.
Institute 193 artist Mare Vaccaro has entered her portfolio in the 3rd Ward Open Call competition. The top-rated portfolio as determined by the public will receive the People’s Choice Prize, which would earn Vaccaro a cash prize, a one year residency at 3rd Ward, and inclusion in a group show at 3rd Ward Gallery in Brooklyn, NY.
Click here to view her portfolio. To vote for it, click ‘vote’ and then click ‘like.’
21 Nights is entering its third month! A collaboration between Institute 193, KET, and LexArts, the weekly happy hour screens an episode of the PBS series Art21 and features the work of a Kentucky artist. The March line-up with include a presentation by the artist Bruce Burris, co-founder of Latitude Artist Community, founder of ELandF Projects, and friend of Institute 193.
