34 Secrets Plus 34 Artists Equals 68 Pieces of Art Work
Opens January 15, 2010 from 6-10 PM
Special Public Reception January 19th
Meet The Artists January 20th
Through March 12th

Robert Stewart self portrait fine art photography
(man and skull)

Secrets will be revealed at a new art exhibition curated by Particia Izzo and Robert Stewart at River’s Edge Gallery in downtown Wyandotte opening on Wyandotte’s Third Friday on January 15th and running through March 15th. The opening will start at 6 pm and is sponsored by Warren Smith, art representative.

The show, including all mediums from paintings to sculptures to fine art photography, will include a self “portrayal” of each artist along with their favorite piece of art created by them. The show is best described by the curators, Patricia Izzo and Robert Stewart:

Artists are observers of the world. They record, analyze, document and interpret the world as it is. If you wish to understand an ancient culture, look at its art. You will find not just a likeness of what was but the artist’s interpretation in relation to the society of the time.

John Berger said “Seeing comes before the words.” The modern man, just as his more primitive ancestors, understand what the image of the skull means. Words

Patricia Izzo self-portrait, fine art photography (eye)

are not necessary. Art is the only medium that can be trusted to carry the voices and culture of today into the future.

For this show we have thrown the artists a challenge. We have asked them to point their documentary skills upon themselves. What do they see in the mirror? What is their place in the world? Some of the artist that we contacted were momentarily panic stricken at the thought of doing an image of themselves.

We all have an outward veneer of ourselves that we present to the general public. There are deeper layers that we allow our friends and loved ones to see. However, the one that we see in the mirror every day is the most hidden. The secrets that we keep inside would be exposed if we used the same unblinking analytical eye that we use to see the world.

The artists we have chosen, we feel, have the courage to really look in the mirror

Eddie Thiel self-portrait oil on canvas (full face)

and show you something you might not have known about them. When you come to think about it, isn’t that what they do every time they make another piece of work? They put their opinions and interpretations into each of their works. For not only are their works being judged but their opinions as well. Famous painter Frida Kahlo stated “ I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best.”

The curators also decided to ask for a favorite piece, not the “best” piece or the “award winning” piece, but their favorite to reveal more “secrets”. They have also asked each artist to bring a “musing” or “inspiration” to be included in an artists’ profile book along with an anonymous secret that will be “revealed”. The bottom line: 34 Secrets + 34 artists =68 works of art

River’s Edge Gallery is a full service gallery specializing in carrying local and regional artists.
Hours:
Mon-Thurs 10am-7pm
Friday 10am-8pm
Saturday 10am-5pm
3024 Biddle Wyandotte, Mi. 48192 (734)246-9880
http://artattheedge.com/about.php