More than 200 people attended the May 5 opening that celebrated PICTURE Cultural Art’s second exhibition, “On Being Human: Love, Faith, Shame, and Hope.” Guests included many of the local and international artists, who made themselves available to students and the campus community. The gallery and its environs were visited by members of the press, who gave the exhibition wide pre- and post-exhibition coverage in the Daily Breeze and in local Asian media.
The exhibition was the result of a global call to art that resulted in 840 submissions from five continents. From these submissions the PICTURE Cultural Art Board chose 95 pieces that best represented the breadth and depth of Love, Faith, Shame, and Hope, which in turn pictorially and poetically expressed the full range of the human condition. Each theme is installed in its own room or walls, the better to judge and gauge the artist’s responses to their respective category. Some of the work is poignant, some funny; some is uplifting, some is tragic. The show includes work from contemporary, modern, and Old Masters artists.
“It’s not often you’ll see Rembrandt share exhibition space with Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, and Norman Rockwell; likewise with this slew of contemporary artists, in the presence of such exalted company,” says James Scarborough, executive director, PICTURE Cultural Art.
Dr. Thai Ha, founder, PICTURE Cultural Art, says that the show, in providing a visual embodiment of the most universal of emotions, showcases the organization’s goals of fostering dialogue among cultures through art.
“This exhibition shows no boundaries between cultures, generation, gender, or personal belief,” he says. “I believe that this show is the first step in bringing people together so that we can share and discuss different issues in our lives. It emphasizes the fact that we are more the same than we are different.”
Awards were conferred on the best work in each category and the best piece in the show. Best of Show was awarded to Jim Vogel’s “John Henry Suite” of nine paintings. An outstanding work was recognized in each theme’s category, including Desjardin’s “Day Without Writing” – Love; Roseta Santiago’s “Road to Chimayo,” Faith; Renzo’s “Fallen Crow,” Shame; and Ho Thanh Duc’s “Painful Past,” Hope.
Representing a private/public partnership with California State University, Dominguez Hills, one of the most ethnically diverse college campuses west of the Mississippi River, PICTURE Cultural Art is an exhibition space that hosts world-class programs and exhibitions dedicated to furthering the dialogue around cultural awareness and harmony.
The show will run until the first week of October. A full color catalogue, featuring each work and accompanying wall text, was published in support of the show. Hours of operation for PICTURE Cultural Art are Monday – Thursday, 10am – 5pm, Friday and Saturday, 10am – 3pm. Admission is free. Private tours are available and encouraged. For further details, please email Scarborough or visit the Website at www.pictureartfoundation.org.
