The Howland Cultural Center traditionally holds an art exhibit in May to celebrate Asian American Heritage Month. This year, Hoodie Crescent was invited to host the annual exhibition and it selected 18 artists with roots in China, Korea, India and Japan.
âContempo: East to Performâ is an exhibition that links multiple Asian influences through an Asian American lens in painting, sculpture, mixed media, fiber art, metal art, installation, engraving and photography.
Xuewu Zheng exhibits his paintings and says, âWe are holding this exhibition during a pandemic and a time of increasing hatred and violence directed against the Asian and Asian-American peoples. The show is a declaration of our strength, our resilience and our creativity. Of particular significance is that it takes place during Asian American Heritage Month. Since arriving in the Hudson River Valley region years ago, he has found the beauty of the natural environment to be inspiring. For example, the patterns found in the Hudson River carry influences from traditional Chinese landscapes traditionally done with calligraphy in shades of black and white.
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Hoodie Crescent’s artistic career included designing textiles for large companies and prizes in the international quilting market and his works in the exhibition show these influences. Looking at his work âRising Sunâ we see overlapping circles with various patterns commonly seen in Japanese textiles. Rich red patterned pieces are interspersed with black woven pieces in a bold design. As a nod to his expertise in fabric design, the center of the room is pierced with a collection of straight pins commonly used in sewing.
Likewise, Chie Fueki’s artwork, âButterfly,â brings together layers of patterns in a work of art created especially for this show. Said Fueki; âThese butterfly-shaped paintings are constructed from a patchwork of painted mulberry paper that is the residue of previous works.
Hayoon Jay Lee exhibits recent paintings that reflect the inner life of all forms of life. Lee used rice as a symbol of life as seen in his painting, âImpermanence,â where we see a stylized fork filled with food and a symbol of a living being that must be supported at rest below. She says her work allows her to “constantly rediscover and reflect on patterns and rhythms, which open a window into human desires and actions.”
Zeng Zhaoman is an artist and poet with a history of traditional Chinese fashionable painting, but now focuses on creating art in a contemporary style. He said: “For me, painting is a kind of redemption.” In his work, “Wandering New York,” viewers will feel the wonder of being immersed in the New York metropolis as new sights, sounds and experiences are interpreted with fresh eyes: the painting is filled with impressionistic glimpses. of faces, signs, buildings and movement.
Xuewu Zheng summed up the intention of the community that weaves its way through the exhibition: âWe believe that art is a form of communication that gives all of us the opportunity to think, to heal, to create understanding, supporting those in need and embracing everyone. â
Exhibiting artists
Heejung Cho, Hoodie Crescent, Rosa Sung Ji Chang, Chie Fueki, Sol Hee, Samarra Khaja, Itoko Kobayashi, Visakh Menon, Hayoon Jay Lee, Lujiang Li, Meixian Li, Tomo Mori, Dong Hyun Rhee, MiYoung Sohn, Yibin Tian, Eighteen Yuan, Zhaoman Zeng, Xuewu Zheng.
If you are going to
What: “Contempo: East to Perform”
When: On display until May 30.
Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Or: 477 Main Street, Beacon
COVID precautions are in effect in the gallery.
Contact: 845-831-4988; [email protected]
Linda Marston-Reid is an artist, writer and Executive Director of Arts Mid-Hudson. Art From Here appears every two weeks in Sunday Life. Contact her at 845-454-3222 or [email protected]