PRESS RELEASE:
The
Sun Gallery presents: “Life to Art” Exhibit
“Life
to Art: A Portuguese American Story in Art’ opens Sat. June 9th at the Sun
Gallery in Hayward, Ca. This special exhibit
features artists Nathan Oliveira, Mel Ramos,
Jerald Silva, João de Brito, David King, Maxine Olson and Richard Silva. The
exhibit is a part of the celebrations of the week of Portugal in the Diaspora
also known as Portugal Day, which celebrates Portuguese Communities Around the
World.
The June 9th Opening Reception from 3-7pm features a special
music performance from 5-6 pm inside the main gallery. Portuguese folk songs
and a work by Franciso de Lacerda will be featured, written and arranged for
string quartet by music professor Dr. Bernard Scherr of Hardin Simmons
University in Texas and the final works were written based on the paintings of
Joao de Brito by Dr. Bernard Scherr. Appetizers and light beverages will be
served and admission is free.
Sun Gallery Curator Dorsi Diaz and
Artist Joao de Brito collaborated to bring the special exhibit to fruition,
celebrating the unique diversity and shared history of Hayward, all with deep roots richly
intertwined in the fabric of the American experience. Diaz says she is “humbled to
participate in such an important show, honoring the work of world renowned
Portuguese artists and to be able to honor the rich cultural history of
Hayward.” Diaz also says she is “thrilled to be able apply all of her acquired
skills to be part of such a stunning collaboration between artists”.
De
Brito is no stranger to bringing large visions to life, was the driving force behind the
creation of the first bilingual English and Portuguese art book published in
the U.S.: Ashes to Life. Celebrating
the artistic talents of Portuguese-Americans is important to Joao de Brito, and
here he has brought together a group of artists whose diversity of expression
is more striking in the light of this shared heritage. In other words, there is
no such thing as a typical Portuguese-American artist, and that is made abundantly
clear upon experiencing the works of these artists. Still, honoring one’s
heritage, connecting to the culture of one’s origins -- whether directly as an
immigrant, or through the intervening generations of one’s parents or
grandparents -- enriches one’s identity and influences one’s work, sometimes in
subtly and barely detectable, sometimes overtly and obvious.
This
is one of the reasons why De Brito has devoted so much time and energy to this
exhibit. He feels the Portuguese-American community, and indeed all Americans,
should have the opportunity to experience and learn more about these artists.
Joao has been promoting the
arts/culture for nearly 20 years. He has coordinated exhibits in Provincetown
MA, during the celebration of the Portuguese week by bringing together
Portuguese-American artists to provide more exposure and education to the
public.
Each of the artists featured in Life to Art identifies differently with
their heritage, and that relationship changes over time. Culture itself is
fluid and changes over time, as well. If it did not, it would be something
else, something imposed and lifeless. There would be no art. Instead, there would
only be a uniformity of expression arising not from individual identity but
projected onto it, forcing it to bend and comply. These artists are
Portuguese-American, and they honor their evolving cultural heritage by
participating in this exhibit.
“Without
identity, without culture, there could be no art, there could be no life. These
concepts are intertwined, identity into art, culture into life, and life into
art.” - Joao de Brito.
The
Sun Gallery, celebrating its 43rd year in the community, is a 501c3 non-profit,
its sole mission being “creating community through creativity.” The Gallery is
located at 1015 E St. in Hayward, Ca, 94541. For Press Inquiries please call
510-581-4050. You can also visit their website at www.sungallery.org
Gallery
hours are 11-5 Friday through Sunday. The “Life to Art” exhibit closes
on Friday August 3rd.
Sun Gallery email: sungallery@comcast.net
Ph. 510-581-4050
