Foundry Gallery: "A Small Hope"

IN COOPERATION WITH
THE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE AND COMMUNITY
AT THE KURDISTAN REGIONAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE
THE FOUNDRY GALLERY PRESENTS:

A SMALL HOPE

EXHIBIT DATES: WED, AUG 01 - SUN, SEPT 02, 2012
OPENING RECEPTION: FRI, AUG 03, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
LOCATION: 1314 18TH STREET, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20036
REGULAR HOURS: WED - FRI 1:00 - 7:00 PM, SAT - SUN, NOON - 6:00 PM

ABOUT THE EXHIBIT

Lukeman Ahmad, a Kurdish, self-taught artist portrays in his works a strong sense of Kurdish spirit and identity despite his people are with "no country" and "no boarders". His vivid colors and moving shapes artistically express his profound, personal connection to the Kurdish land and its people, with a history layered with tragedy, perseverance and aspirations. Ahmad's imagination runs free as his style and paintings emphatically portray a swinging graceful dancer painted in colorful fluid shapes alongside a magical horse against a vast white background of nature. His works picture a proud cultural heritage that provides viewers a deeper understanding of the Kurdish people.

In contrast, Lukman paints the heaviness of a grief stricken woman recently widowed. She is cloaked in black and sits in front of a yellow backdrop - reflecting on the desert sands where her loved ones have said goodbye to their cherished land. Lukman's emotional range of work provides insight into the deeper meaning of Kurdish life.

Lukman Ahmad came to the United States in 2010 as a refugee. He has coped with the difficulties of adapting, learning a new language, earning a living and finding his place in the U.S. as an artist. He is a member of the Arlington Arts Gallery.

The Foundry Gallery in Washington, DC in cooperation with the Department of Culture and Community at the Kurdistan Regional Government Office in Washington, DC will present gues artists, Lukman Ahmad's solo show: "A Small Hope" during the month of August. The opening reception will be held Friday, August 3 from 6PM to 8PM and the exhibit is open to the public from August 1, 2012 through September 2, 2012.

Press is invited to attend the public opening and opportunities for private comment with Lukman Ahmad. To request a meeting opportunity, please contact: Najat Abdullah at 202-821-1852 or email najat.abdullah@krg.org.

AUGUST ALL MEMBER EXHIBIT

In addition to the exhibit in the main Gallery, Foundry's Gallery II features member artists exhibiting work that has not been shown before at the Foundry. For an exciting array of work that changes monthly and is exhibited by a unique group of talented artists, please be sure to regularly visit the Foundry Gallery. All work is for sale. For more information about the Foundry artists, please visit www.foundrygallery.org.

VISIT THE FOUNDRY VIA OR VIRTUAL GALLERY

The Foundry Gallery has an on-line Virtual Gallery featuring several of our member's artwork. The tour was developed to promote its new Art Lease/Purchase Program. The program is designed to reach out to organizations or individuals who are looking to complement their environment with artwork that expresses their personal style or image. Artwork shown on the Virtual Gallery is currently available to lease, lease to purchase, or purchase outright through the Foundry Gallery. Detail information about each piece is available by clicking on the camera icon next to the artwork. More information on the artists may be found by clicking on the "!" next to the artwork.

To lease and/or purchase artwork, please contact the Foundry Gallery directly. Consultation services are also available where one of our representatives will work directly with you or your committee to assist in the selection process (hourly fees apply). Our contact information can be found by clicking on the contact icon in the main menu bar at the bottom of the Virtual Gallery screen.

To visit the Virtual Gallery, click on the image below, or copy the following link to your browser: http://www.panoramastreet.com/live/Demos/foundry%20gallery%204-2012/. Feel free to share our Virtual Gallery with friends, family and colleagues.

We always welcome visitors to our physical location at 1314 18th Street, NW, WDC 20036. Our website has an ongoing schedule of monthly solo shows, group exhibits and opening receptions.

Look for us on Facebook and Twitter!

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NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR NEW MEMBERS!
(Visit our website for artist application and detail membership information.)

Studio Gallery Group Summer Show: Altered States

Devin Joyce, one of Studio Gallery's summer interns, is a currently pursuing a degree in photography at George Mason University.  "Altered States" runs until August 11th. The First Friday reception is August 3rd from 6:30pm-8:30pm
 

At first glance, it may feel like chaos. Different styles, mediums, and every color imaginable is displayed on the walls of the Studio Gallery this month...but that is the best part of a group show. Altered States does not serve as a superficial title, it is the essence of the show.

Each piece focuses on what “Altered States” mean to the individual artist, but you can't help but feel yourself transform as your eyes move from one piece to the next. Each piece expresses a different emotion or mood that the viewer must react to.

Markowski's “Spring Thaw” is built layer upon layer of metallic and colorful geometrical shapes. With space carved out, it allows you to view the delicacy in which they are placed upon each other. As you circle the piece, you feel as if it is constantly morphing, as you view something new with every turn.

As I moved to the next piece, I was enamored with Suzanne Yurdin's “Roses in the Rain”. I have much respect for painters as a whole, but a soft spot for those who do not try to hide the process, mistakes, and layers of paint the canvas has seen. I view it as a vulnerability, showing a little piece of the artist themselves. Yurdin's combination of light airy creams and whites with blood red blend beautifully together. The drip of paint here or the odd pencil mark there gives it life.

These two pieces have nothing in common, from medium to interpretation of altered states, but only one similarity: a strong representation of each artist. The show presents an opportunity to meet the artists of Studio Gallery. It may not be on a personal level, but their work speaks for them in a way words can not.