Wednesday, July 16, 2008

A Slippery Proposition: artist makes statement about the oil industry as she transforms the Target Gallery into an oilrig platform




The gallery will be presenting its first artist in residence/installation project. Julie Camarata, installation artist from Knoxville, TN will be creating her site-specific installation titled “Slick” beginning on July 23. The gallery will be open to the public during the two-week installation process from July 23- August 6, so that visitors to the gallery can learn and experience this project as it evolves. At the end of the two-week residency, the gallery will be hosting a reception for the artist on Thursday evening August 7 from 6-8pm and the artist will be providing a brief discussion during the reception at 7pm about her installation. The exhibition will remain open for an additional two weeks closing on August 24. This event is free and open to the public.

Camarata’s installation examines the timely idea concerning the necessity, dangers and beauty of oil. Her installation will encompass the entire gallery space to include paintings and drawing directly onto the wall, building an oilrig platform complete with faux oil spilling from it and onto the floor. The artist is a recent MFA graduate from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Camarata’s proposal was chosen from a pool of applicants from all over the country. The juror for this opportunity was Dale Ihnken, artist and arts administrator from Baltimore, MD. Mr. Ihnken is the Executive Director of the Hamiltonian Artists in Washington DC. Ihnken’s organization is designed to help promote emerging artists. He is also a Professor of Art with George Mason University.

Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday 12-6pm and late on Thursdays until 9pm.