Exhibit Transforms Haiti’s Cultural, Religious Remnants into Art

CENTRE DAILY TIMES
By Jason Klose

From a collection of sequin-adorned Vodou flags, above,
and works made from metal oil drums, cover, in the exhibit 

PENNSYLVANI---An exhibit featuring sequined flags and steel sculptures from the Republic of Haiti has set up temporary residence at the Windows on the World Gallery at the Bellefonte Art Museum. The exhibit, “All That Gleams and Glistens: Sequin and Metal Art from Haiti," reflects a complex history of the island nation including African, French, Catholic and tribal traditions. The exhibit features works by 20 to 25 Haitian artists and includes metal-cut pieces and ceremonial flags and fabrics adorned with sequins and eye-catching colors and designs. [link]

Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County: “All That Gleams and Glistens: Sequin and Metal Art from Haiti" (End Nov. 30); 133 N. Allegheny St., Bellefonte, PA; 814-355-4280; bellefontemuseum.org

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Renowned Artist Makoto Fujimura to Visit Geneva College

READ ME MEDIA

PENNSYLVANIA---Nationally recognized Christian artist, writer, and speaker Makoto Fujimura will visit Geneva College on Wednesday, November 20. At 7:30 p.m., he will present a lecture in Skye Lounge of the Student Center as part of the Geneva Visiting Artist & Lecture Series (GVALS). Fujimura's artworks, painted in a style that fuses fine art with abstract expressionism, are exhibited in galleries across the world, from Tokyo's Sato Museum in to Vienna's Belvedere Museum to New York's Dillion Gallery. Dr. Keith Martel, professor of humanities and higher education, says "Fujimura is a world-renowned abstract artist who doesn't just think Christianly, but creates from a deeply Christian perspective and affection with every word, brush stroke and dash of gold." [link]

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Artist, Sandow Birk Takes a Personal View of Islam's Holy Text

LANCASTER ONLINE
By Tom Knapp

Sandow Birk, Sura 100, 2008

PENNSYLVANIA---Sandow Birk doesn't pretend to understand the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. And his illustrations, layered beneath excerpts from the sacred text, don't claim to interpret it. "He's not actually illustrating the text — he's illustrating his reactions to it," explains Millersville University gallery coordinator Gloria Mast. "He's illustrating his own preconceived notions, in a way," she says. "It's very much a postmodern example of finding your way through something." The process began nearly a decade ago, Mast says, when Birk began his personal journey to understand the Qur'an through his art. The pieces hanging through Nov. 9 at MU's Winter Center are gouache, acrylic and ink on paper. Each is highly distinctive, although somewhat uniform in presentation. [link]

Winter Visual and Performing Arts Center: Sandow Birk's journeys with the Koran (Ends Nov. 9); Campus of Millersville University, 60 W. Cottage Ave., Millersville, PA; 872-3304; artsmu.com

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