TEAR, CUT & PASTE: The Art of Collage

(Denver – November 18, 2015) Art Gym Denver is starting off the New Year with a Collage exhibition featuring some of Colorado’s finest collage artists. The exhibition is running January 7th, 2016 – February 14, 2016.

Exhibiting artists are Lili Francuz, Michael Gadlin, Cynthia Joye, Sandra Kaplan, Suchitra Mattai, Janice McDonald, and Peter Yumi.

Pioneered by artists like Picasso and Braque, collage has evolved over the centuries into a new medium. TEAR, CUT and PASTE explores the way artists bring new and unique twists to this traditional art form: Lili Francuz uses poster paper torn from kiosks in her native France, creating abstract collages that evoke signage from the past and draw attention to the shift towards digital advertisement in European cities. Michael Gadlin used his time as an artist-in-residence in France to create collages that, upon closer inspection, are revealed as portraits. Cynthia Joye uses vintage imagery from magazines to create surreal and nostalgic collages. Sandra Kaplan finds unexpected treasures for her collages in wrapping paper, packaging, or things she finds while walking her dog. Suchitra Mattai uses fragments from National Geographic and other mixed media to transform gardens from peaceful havens into inhospitable wildernesses. Janice McDonald makes elegant abstract art collages with papers collected from her daily life and wanderings. Peter Yumi is inspired by Brazilian music to create graffiti-like collages. Each artist creates in a unique way, pushing our concept of collage.

Part of the exhibition will be interactive, inviting visitors to create their own collages. There will also be several hands-on workshops and demonstrations where the artists explain their work and their process.

“…the principle of collage is the central principle of all art in the 20th century.” –Donald Barthelme (1931- 1989)

Exhibition Dates: January 7th, 2016 – February 14, 2016

Opening Reception: January 7th, 2016, 5pm-8pm. Artists will be present, light refreshment and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Events:

1.7.16, 5-8pm: Opening Reception

1.16.16, 3-5pm: Artist demo/talk with Sandra Kaplan

1.23.16, 3-5pm: Collage Demo with Janice McDonald

2.6.16, 3-5pm: History of Collage with Suchitra Mattai