In the likes of 19th century Venice, Luminarte Gallery is hosting its own International Biennale exhibition, running Nov. 5 through Dec. 10 and featuring work from over 40 contemporary artists from all over the world. Italian for “every other year,” a biennale is traditionally a multi-cultural manifestation of contemporary art, and Luminarte will follow in that tradition.
Curated by Dallas-based artist Matt Anzak, the exhibit, according to its press release, was organized to portray a “varied understanding of technique, media and subject matter, while typifying contemporary trends in the international art world.”
Here are a few artists showcased at the exhibit:
Canadian bronze sculptor Esther Wertheimer, who is also featured in this year’s Florence Biennale, has monumental pieces throughout Canada, U.S., China and, predominantly, Japan. Paulo and Francesca, dedicated to the Dallas Ballet Company, are at the Wells Fargo Building here in Dallas. Her 13-foot Primavera was installed in front of the new Fukuoka City Hall and two of her bronze sculptures were selected for the Katsushika Performing Art Centre in Tokyo. With sculptures full of movement and grace, Wertheimer’s pieces ”forge a connection between bodies and souls, blurring the line between our physical and spiritual beings,” according to her website.
Robin Antar is a Brooklyn-based sculptor of American icons, such as denim jackets, Oreos, Heinz ketchup bottles and No.2 pencils, which she realistically replicates in heavy marble, limestone or other stone. On her website, she describes her method as “the precise art of creating ‘virtual records’ of contemporary culture — capturing common, everyday items in stone…It’s more than art imitating life, it’s art mirroring life.”
Colombian artist Alicia H. Torres uses paint, oxide, gesso, paper and fabric in her abstract paintings. “My goal and desire,” she said on her website, “are to release emotions in my paintings where they become a language to communicate with the spectator where each one provides a different interpretation but they still keep the universal meaning.”
Bronwyn Towle, raised in Hawaii, fills her canvases with movement, color and human form. “At times,” she said in a prepared statement, “my work will reflect the rich and diverse cultural background of my upbringing in Hawaii; ethnic, primitive and always inspired by the beauty of the human face or form.”
Puneeta Mittal studied in India and allows her belief in reincarnation to permeate and enlighten her artwork. “With a strong belief that everything that is born, grows and withers away to be yet born again – incessant change from one to another proceeds in an evolutionary cycle – I chose not to be limited to a small corner space that defines who I am and what I must make,” she said on her website. Through glazes on her ceramic bowls and layers of paint on her canvases, she creates “an inner landscape without compromising the content.”
Many more artists will be featured in the exhibit as well, some of which will be attending the opening reception on Nov. 5 from 7 to 11 p.m.
Luminarte Gallery is located at 1727 E. Levee St. in the Design District. Hours are Thursday through Friday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; and Tuesdays and Wednesdays by appointment only. For more information, call 214.914.4503 or visit www.luminarte.com
