January 9, 2013 (Knoxville, TN) –The KMA’s ongoing Currents: Recent Art from East Tennessee exhibition, which opened in November, was recently enhanced by the addition of four new works courtesy of New York collectors Marc and Livia Straus.
Back of Evan #3 is a self-portrait by Canadian artist Evan Penny, who creates startlingly lifelike sculptures by casting dye-painted silicone in clay molds he crafts by hand, and implanting real hair one strand at a time. This work includes scars, blemishes and other bodily imperfections that reflect his ongoing interest in aging and the human condition.
Peach Twist is a three-dimensional painting by Charles Hinman, a veteran artist who explores the interaction of color as it is applied to basic geometric shapes. He first achieved global acclaim during the mid 1960s for his three-dimensional paintings made by stretching canvas over wooden rods. In some paintings, the artist adds to the back edges bright hues that reflect a colorful halo onto the surrounding wall.
The surfaces of two macabre collage sculptures by emerging British sculptor Chris Jones are composed of images from magazines, calendars, encyclopedias, and posters. Suggesting an excavated sculptural fragment from ancient times, Repair is the Dream of the Broken Thing was actually inspired by the Legend of Sleepy Hollow while the Fur Trapper stems from Jones’ interest in the history of the American frontier.
The Strauses are long-time friends of the KMA who have been generous in sharing their collection with the museum.
Currents examines recent developments in international contemporary art. It features a selection of objects from the KMA’s growing collection by emerging and established artists currently working in East Tennessee and beyond.
The Knoxville Museum of Art The Knoxville Museum of Art celebrates the art and artists of East Tennessee, presents new art and new ideas, serves and educates diverse audiences, and enhances Knoxville’s quality of life. The museum is located in downtown Knoxville at 1050 World’s Fair Park and is open to the public Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10am–5pm, Friday 10am–8pm, and Sunday 1pm-5pm. Admission and parking are free. For more information, contact Angela Thomas at 865.934.2034 or visit www.knoxart.org.