Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) News

For immediate release, July 7, 2010

Artwork shows faces and places

AUSTIN, TEXAS – Artwork of intriguing faces and places one might see in their journey through life is on display at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. “Oh the Places You’ll Go!” features paintings, photographs, sketches and etchings from 19 members of the San Marcos Art League. Artist Norman Bean contributes a graphite sketch in the style of M.C. Escher titled, "Matchless Moto." Also in the exhibit is a large acrylic painting by Diane MacGregor with a birds’ eye that seemingly follows you when you move left or right and an oil painting by Pat Broussard of a solitary butterfly floating above a heavenly painted field of cacti and flowers.

“Everyone has their own way to get to where they are going, and understanding what they see when they get there,” said artist Norman Bean about the art. “Most images are either how to get somewhere or a somewhere that someone got to.” Indeed multiple subjects and viewpoints are shown in the varied selections of art. Humor and anticipation are found in Robin Orta’s animated acrylic illustration titled “The Wait,” while next to it, vivid outlines of Vivian Richard’s “Remembering Eden” reverberate with color and shape as a face protrudes from the various forms of tropical vegetation depicted in it. Topher Sipes’ pyrography technique (wood burning) is mixed with acrylic paint to create a stark contrast between a solitary image against the natural wood background. Mark Dietz dry point aquatint etching “Mecca” is a composite assembly of geometrical symbols strategically placed on the paper to form a mystical face emerging from the dark. Lisa Jasak’s encaustic piece “On Fire” captures the spirit of the central Texas music scene with a rendition of a guitar so hot it seems to be ablaze with flames. “After Anselm Feuerbach Nanna” by Morris Nelms is a soft watercolor blended to form a profile portrait of a feminine figure gazing down towards a handmade compass made by Michelle Sotolongo.

The exhibit is on display through September 30, 2010 in the Airside East Gallery located on the concourse behind the Austin Article bookstore across from Gate 8 and in the area of the airport past security checkpoints, accessible to ticketed passengers only.

Other exhibits on display at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport:
“Lost Pines Artisan Alliance" in the Concourse glass pylon cases through July 14, 2010
Artists from Smithville, TX and Bastrop County show a variety of media and styles ranging from fiber necklaces to bronze castings to ceramics. Works are humorous, insightful and intricately made. Enlargements of two dimensional media from the group are reproduced in a series of posters adjacent to the displays. On display between Gates 7-11.

“Texas Sunrise, Sunset” in the Airside West Gallery through August 12, 2010
Art from the Austin based Multicultural Artists Partnership, (MAP) captures the beauty in and around Texas sunrises and sunsets. Interpretations range from dramatic sunset paintings of the countryside to photos of shadow and light on the water to whimsical representations of everyday life. On display behind the BookPeople store near Gate 11.

Source: City of Austin