Art OFocus k l a h o m a f ro m
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Drawing by Emma Ann Robertson.
I recently had the opportunity to visit nine artists in their studios over the course of two days. The artists I visited were recipients of awards from the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition and we were there to conduct video interviews with them. Their awards include the OVAC Fellowship, Art 365 and Momentum Spotlight. (Learn more about each of these awards in this issue of Art Focus Oklahoma.) Being present in an artist’s studio, amidst all the worksin-progress and experimentations, is an opportunity to experience the process behind the finished works. For me, this look behind-the-scenes allows me to view the work, as well as the artist and their ideas, within a larger context. I have the benefit of having seen how the work was made, knowing what the artist was thinking about and sometimes even seeing the preliminary drawings. I feel lucky to have had a chance to see the works in progress for our Art 365 and Momentum Tulsa exhibitions and am excited to see how the artist’s creative process will shape the works in their final form. On page 24, writer Cedar Marie discusses the increased visibility of the artist’s process, especially in the museum setting. This idea was spurred by her recent visit to a museum show that was made up almost entirely of artifacts from the artist’s studio: drawings, sketches, collages and even personal objects. This sparked the question, “Does exposure to an artist’s process inform the spectator’s perception of the work?” Whether a visit to an artist’s studio, or flipping through their sketchbook, the work behind the artwork always seems to inform the way I view it. What about you? To see the video interviews with the award-winning artists, watch the OVAC YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/okvisualarts. We will be posting all videos there as they become available.
Kelsey Karper publications@ovac-ok.org
Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition 730 W. Wilshire Blvd., Suite 104 Oklahoma City, OK 73116 ph: 405.879.2400 • e: director@ovac-ok.org visit our website at: www.ovac-ok.org Executive Director: Julia Kirt director@ovac-ok.org Editor: Kelsey Karper publications@ovac-ok.org Art Director: Anne Richardson anne@speccreative.com Intern: Erin Kozakiewicz Art Focus Oklahoma is a bimonthly publication of the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition dedicated to stimulating insight into and providing current information about the visual arts in Oklahoma. Mission: The Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition supports visual artists living and working in Oklahoma and promotes public interest and understanding of the arts. OVAC welcomes article submissions related to artists and art in Oklahoma. Call or email the editor for guidelines. OVAC welcomes your comments. Letters addressed to Art Focus Oklahoma are considered for publication unless otherwise specified. Mail or email comments to the editor at the address above. Letters may be edited for clarity or space reasons. Anonymous letters will not be published. Please include a phone number. Art Focus Committee: Janice McCormick, Bixby; Don Emrick, Claremore; Susan Grossman, Norman; MJ Alexander, Stephen Kovash, Sue Moss Sullivan, and Christian Trimble, Oklahoma City. OVAC Board of Directors July 2010-June 2011: R.C. Morrison, Bixby; Margo Shultes von Schlageter, MD, Rick Vermillion, Edmond; Eric Wright, El Reno; Traci Harrison (Secretary), Enid; Suzanne Mitchell (President), Norman; Jennifer Barron (Vice President), Susan Beaty, Stephen Kovash, Paul Mays, Carl Shortt, Suzanne Thomas, Christian Trimble, Oklahoma City; Joey Frisillo, Sand Springs; Anita Fields, Stillwater; Bradley Jessop, Sulphur; Elizabeth Downing, Jean Ann Fausser (Treasurer), Janet Shipley Hawks, Kathy McRuiz, Sandy Sober, Tulsa The Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition is solely responsible for the contents of Art Focus Oklahoma. However, the views expressed in articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Board or OVAC staff. Member Agency of Allied Arts and member of the Americans for the Arts. © 2010, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition. All rights reserved. View this issue online at www.ArtFocusOklahoma.org.
On the Cover Steve Breerwood, Moore, Tightrope Walking Backwards, Oil on canvas, 48”x48” See page 13 .
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