"Mending Fences," Michele Hoben's Solo Artist Exhibit of Mixed Media Works, October 9 - November 3, 2008
"Near Parallel II"
Fences have been primarily used as dividers of land, conveying both safety and fear. Some menacing, some beautiful, materials both humble and exquisite, their purpose is both necessary and silly. The symbolic parallels between fences and what’s occurring in our country are timely. Hoben’s mixed media series, "Mending Fences," has come to create a subtle commentary on our current political and economic environment.
Hoben’s great-great-grandfather, J. Wallace Page, invented a woven-wire fence in 1883. "Fences are in my blood," she states. This series began with a simple sketch of a bamboo fence, and Hoben then realized there was so much to explore artistically with this subject matter. Her works are made expressive by her powerful and aggressive use of line and mark making. "Line is the foundation of my fence series. The play of transparency and opacity, negative space and patterns of light and dark created by the different fence structures and materials are also interesting to explore and are an important part of my work."
"There are many political and cultural references and associations with fences." White picket fences are seen to some as a symbol of Americana, suburbia – representative of an idealistic society. As many homes across the country face foreclosure, perhaps what the white picket fence symbolizes is changing. The fence under construction across our southern boarder to curtail illegal immigration, approved by Congress, has encountered strong opposition from local jurisdictions.
In addition to working as a practicing artist, Hoben is also a curator, an architect, a faculty member of the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, and a Torpedo Factory Associate Artist. She studied painting at the University of Michigan, The Art League and participated in workshops throughout the United States and Europe.
"Mending Fences," October 9 – November 3, 2008
Opening Reception: Thursday, October 9, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
"Revealed Histories," the October All-Media Show at The Art League Gallery, October 9 - November 3, 2008
"Revealed Histories" encourages Art League artists to visually explore our histories, both personal and shared.
Artists may explore their own ancestral or societal history, or select to visually explore the experience of a group, society, or culture other than their own. Work may visually represent a historical movement important to a culture or facet or society.
This show will be juried by Daniel Finch, Associate Professor of Visual Art at Messiah College. This show will feature work of all media by Art League gallery members.
"Revealed Histories," October 9 - November 3, 2008
Opening Reception: Thursday, October 9, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
In the Gallery
November:
"FotoWeek DC at The Art League," November 7 - December 1, 2008
The Art League is participating in FotoWeek DC – the weeklong celebration of photography in the nation’s capital. FotoWeek DC at The Art League will be an exhibit juried by Jim Steele and Craig Sterling, open to all photographers of The Art League and the Torpedo Factory. The exhibit will be featured in The Art League Gallery’s solo artist exhibition space November 7 – December 1, 2008.
"small works" and "LARGE WORKS," November 7 - December 1, 2008
This juried exhibit of works by Art League members features artwork restricted by size, but not by medium or subject matter. "small works" will be juried by Dr. Susan Frank, Assistant Curator at The Phillips Collection, and "LARGE WORKS" will be juried by Glenn Perry, member of the Washington Society of Landscape Painters and specialist in the National Gallery of Art's design and installation department.
"FotoWeek DC at The Art League," "small works," and "LARGE WORKS" will be featured in The Art League Gallery November 7 - December 1, 2008
Opening Reception: Thursday, November 13, 6:30 - 8:00 pm.