Emporium Center Artist-in-Residence Exhibition

Date: 08/10/2011

The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present “In Absence”, an exhibition of new works by Brandon Woods, Emporium Center Artist-in-Residence from April – September 2011.  The exhibition opens Friday, September 2, at 5:00 PM in the Balcony of the Emporium Center. This solo exhibition catalogs the six months of Woods’ residency and includes oil paintings and photography.

Woods’ work explores the imagery of abandoned buildings, portraying them as symptoms of a consumer-driven culture. In a society that is constantly changing, he views abandoned spaces as “tangible fragments of a discarded history…tossed aside and left to be forgotten in the wastelands of time”. As a result, in this exhibition he hopes to illuminate mankind to their sense of loss in the face of consumerism and technology.

His process involves digital photography and graphic design software to create digital drawings on which he then bases his paintings. The finished work is minimalistic, incorporating simple forms and pure colors. “Ultimately, the finished paintings are silhouettes and caricatures of the actual environments,” says Woods. “They are observations of a forgotten world through the eyes of modern technology, leaving us to ponder the fading memories of our culture, our definition of progress, and what we are willing forsake for it.”

Brandon Woods was born in 1987 in Knoxville. He received his B.F.A. at Middle Tennessee State University. He is an award-winning artist, most recently receiving a Personal Development Support grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission. For more information, visit his web site at http://www.brandonwoodsart.com.
“In Absence” will be displayed in the Balcony at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, from September 2-30, 2011. An opening reception will take place as part of First Friday activities on September 2 from 5:00-9:00 PM with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and wine. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Please note: the Emporium will be closed on Monday, September 5, for the holiday. For more information, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at (865) 523-7543 or visit http://www.knoxalliance.com.

About the Arts & Culture Alliance
The Arts & Culture Alliance serves and supports a diverse community of artists, arts organizations, and cultural institutions. The Alliance receives financial support from the Tennessee Arts Commission (http://www.tn.gov/arts). This event is made by possible by the generous support of First Tennessee Foundation (http://www.firsttennessee.com/communities/foundation).

back