Laib painting exhibition this month in Gallery II
Sept. 5, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- The WMU Department of Art presents a painting exhibition by New York artist Jonathan Laib in Gallery II, Sangren Hall, Sept. 9-26. Gallery II is open weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Laib will give a slide lecture on his work and about his daytime job at Christie's Auction House on Monday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m. in Room 2302 of Sangren Hall. His lecture will be about his on the job experiences and how he has integrated that with his life as an artist. Also, he will speak about how his education in art prepared him for the position he currently holds at Christie's. A reception follows in Gallery II.
The exhibition and slide lecture are free and open to the public.
"Often my paintings conceal their true meanings; hidden irony can be present within what seems to be an expression of good-natured innocence," Laib says. "Often in day-to-day life, truth is given to us indirectly. A smile can hide unbearable pain and suffering; the happiest of paintings can obscure it's real content. It is the truth behind this mask that I hope to both create and uncover."
Born in 1973 in Denver, Colo., Laib received a B.F.A. degree in painting from the Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1996. Since then he has had works in group exhibitions at: the Combo Co., Studios, Brooklyn; Williamsburg Art and Historical Center, Brooklyn; Pelham Art Center, Pelham, N.Y.; Christie's Auction House, New York City; and the Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, Vt.
This year, he showed at Pratt Manhattan Gallery, New York City, and had solo shows at Clare Weiss Gallery, New York City, and at Millsaps College, Jackson, Miss. In both the summers of 2001 and 2002, Laib had artist residencies at the Vermont Studio Center.
For additional information, contact the Department of Art Exhibitions Office at 269 387-2455.
Media contact: Jackie Ruttinger, 269 387-2455, jacquelyn.ruttinger@wmich.edu