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Deaf Artists' Exhibit, 20 Deaf Artists: Common Motifs, at Deaf Studies VI Conference, Pro Arts Gallery, Oakland, CA, April 9-10, 1999 Curated by Brenda SchertzGallery Guide
Introduction The first two exhibitions of Deaf Art that I organized, in 1993 and 1995, were each titled "Deaf Artists' Exhibit: A Perspective of Deaf Culture Through Art" which reflected a growing awareness of the
importance of Deaf Art in Deaf Studies. The personal perspectives of the artists brought fresh insights to what it means to be Deaf. The ever-growing number of works in the field of De'VIA (Deaf View Image Art
or Deaf Art) frequently amaze me, not least because of the number of motifs common to artists who have had no prior contact with each other. Not all of these shared motifs are included in this exhibit, because
there simply is not room for them all, but many of the works here do use similar symbols. Some of these symbols are quite obvious. Take the hand, for instance. In a variety of different forms, the hand
appears in many works as a symbol of our pride with our language and the importance of our means of communication. Endless approaches to representing sign language in different formats are also popular.
Sometimes certain positions or differences in proportion indicate that the hand represents oppression or oppressors. TTYs are another easily recognizable motif. Interpretations of sound, music or use of
musical instruments also frequently occur. Speech lessons and the experience of learning speech have stayed with many of us for most of our lives and this, too, is reflected in this exhibit. Feelings of
being trapped are another common theme. One curious motif that has appeared in recent works is the reworking of historical paintings or other representations of historical events to reflect Deaf history or the
Deaf experience; this is a way of indicating the magnitude of an event in our history. This exhibit invites the viewer to explore other common motifs and themes and share these observations with other viewers
and artists in the gallery. Many nuances of the works included in this exhibit may be difficult to discern without knowledge of the issues and perceptions common to members of the Deaf community. This guide is
intended to provide information concerning the ways in which each work is relevant to the Deaf culture or experience. People who are already knowledgeable about the Deaf culture may find this guide helpful in
obtaining deeper insights into these works. No one, however, should consider the information presented here absolutely definitive: it is, rather, subjective material written on the basis of information obtained
from a variety of sources, including the artists, and including direct quotations from many of these artists. Viewers are encouraged to offer their own thoughts. Brenda Schertz March 30, 1999
The De'VIA ManifestoArtists' Biographies Descriptions of Artworks Chuck BairdBe My Valentine, Love Series, No. 3, 1999 Mixed Media, 14" w x 17" h Grant Thy Spirit, 1999
Oil on canvas, framed with feathers, 24'' w x 36'' h Please But, 1999 Mixed Media, 11'' h x 11'' d x 36'' w Remembering the Fitzgerald Key, 1999 Oil on canvas, 18'' h x 36" w Irene BartokDivine Power, 1995 Photograph 18" w x 20" h Jeff CarrollDeaf Like You, 1998
Plaster of Paris,14" h x 12" w x 7" d Connie M. ClantonCherish ASL, 1996 Intaglio,14" w x14" h Deaf Woman, 1998 Intaglio, 14" w x14" h
Expression of Hands, 1998 Intaglio, 14" w x14" h Hands,1998 Collogragh, 11" w x 9" h Talking Hands, 1998 Collogragh, 11" w x 9" h Susan Dupor….push the red button, 1995 Oil on masonite, 18" w x 15½" h Child and TTY, 1997 Embroidery, 10 ½" w x 11" h Coexistence, 1998
Oil on canvas, 36" w x 27" h Divergence, 1997 Oil, six panels 9" w x 71/4" h A Lesson, 1999 Embroidery, 12 ½" w x 9 3/4" h Musical Chairs Oil, 27 ½" w x 23 ½" h
Narcissus, 1999 Oil, 27" w x 19" h Sss-speech, 1998 Oil on masonite, 6" w x 7" h To Have/To Find, 1991 16-mm transferred to VHS format, 5 minutes Transportation Hub, 1995
Oil on masonite, Diptych 10 ½" w x 8 ½" h Paul Johnston1998, 1998 Paper, 16" w x 15" h Lyric I, 1998 Paper, 24" w x 24" h Lyric II, 1998
Paper, 14" w x 35" h Spiritualism, 1998 Watercolor, 22" w x 29" h Structure II, 1998 Watercolor, 22" w x 29" h Unity of Communication, 1998
Watercolor, 29" w x 22" h Tony Landon McGregor
ASL Eagle Over Hands Monument, 1999 Mixed media (Watercolor and Ink) 20" w x 24" h
ASLized Mimbres Fish, 1995 Woodburned Gourd Art, 13" h x 11" d Native American Deaf Experiences, 1999 Mixed Media (woodburned gourd w/inlaid turquoise), 9.5" h x 13" d Betty G. MillerAmeslan Flag, 1974 Acrylic/Mixed Media, 23" h x 40" w x 4" d A Tribute to a Deaf Artist, 1999
Neon/Acrylic/Mixed Media, 21" h x 31" w TTY Call, 1997 Neon Assemblage, 21" w x 21" d x 26 " h, old TTY, hand/phone /half-figure Untitled, 1993
Acrylic/Mixed Media, 32 3/4" w x 34 1/2" h Victor NotaroCable Surfing, 1994 VHS video, 5 minutes Connie, 1994 VHS video, 5 minutes Footwork
, 1994 VHS video, 5 minutes Oz, 1994 VHS video, 5 minutes Star, 1993 VHS video, 5 minutes The 3 Skeletons, 1991 8mm film transferred to VHS format, 5 minutes
Tripod, 1995 16-mm film transferred to VHS format, 5 minutes
Joan Popovich-KutscherConfused Emotion in Life,1990
Photo-etching aquarelle on handmade paper, 7" w x 7" h No Free Way to Protect, 1993 Photo-etching aquarelle on handmade paper, 16" w x 20" h No Way Out, 1993
Photo-etching aquarelle on handmade paper, 7" w x 7" h Point Lose Class, 1994 Photo-etching aquarelle on handmade paper, 7" w x 7" h Tight of Open Feelings, 1995
Photo-etching aquarelle on handmade paper, 16" w x 20" h What Is Saying, 1991 Photo-etching aquarelle on handmade paper, 11" w x 15" h Tracey SalawayFlying Fingers, 1995 7 1/2 minutes, VHS tape Orkid SassouniBook #1, 1997-1998
8" x 8" book with 27 Black and White Photographs Book #2, 1998-1999 6" x 6" book with 31 Black and White Photographs Paul Setzer
A Person's Life Is Mixed of Sound and Vision, 1999 Acrylic on canvas, 12" w x 36" h A Person's Life Is Vision without Sound, 1999 Acrylic on canvas, 12" w x 36" h
A Soldier's Life, 1999 Acrylic on canvas, 12" w x 36" h Ann Silver
Deaf Identity Crayons: Then & Now (Crayon Box Series), 1999 Mixed Media, 20" w x 16" h
Kellogg's Deaf Studies, Not Pathology (Food for Thought Series), 1996 Mixed Media, 16" w x 20" h Will the Real Goya Please Stand Up? (Food for Thought Series), 1996 Mixed media, 20" w x 16" h
Ethan SinnottBeethoven, 1997 Oil on canvas, 36" w x 24" h The Last Supper, 1997 Oil on canvas, 36" w x 24" h Dawn SkwerskyHe Says, She Signs, 1995 16-mm film transferred to VHS format, 10 minutes Look At Me So I Can Hear You, 1993
16-mm film transferred to VHS format, 5 minutes Someone She Loved, 1995 16-mm film transferred to VHS format, 12½ minutes Robin TaylorAvenue of Loss, 1998
Bronze, Stainless Steel, Copper on Marble Base, 5"h x 12"w x 8"d (Limited Edition of 12) Silent Scream, 1998 Bronze relief, 11½" h x 13" w x 4" d Trapped, 1999
Bronze/stained steel/ wire and acrylic, 12" h x 12" w Mary J. Thornley
Milan, Italy, 1880 II, 1994 Oil on canvas, 37" w x 39" h Two Deaf Musicians, 1997
Oil on canvas, 37" w x 39" h Ron Trumble"DEAFized" Dresser, 1999 Wood and bronze, 40" h x 32½" w x 22" d Podium, 1999
Appleply, 46" h x 20" w x 20" d Guy WonderGossip, 1999 Mixed media, 45" w x 47" h CSDF students
Students from the California School for the Deaf, Fremont. 9 Masks, approximately 9" x 10" each Acknowledgments The conference committee wishes to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts by the
exhibit's curator, Brenda Schertz. We thank her for her care and expertise in mounting such a signifcant and spectacular exhibit for the benefit of both the conference participants and community alike. We are
deeply indebted to many people for the help without which the exhibit would not have been possible. It is not possible to name all of them, but special thanks are due to:
John Dunleavy for his time and patience editing this brochure. The participating artists, for their patience, flexibility and cooperation, and for the loan of their works. Gail Wright, of the California School for
the Deaf at Fremont, for encouraging her students to participate in the exhibit. Nancy Bloch, of the National Association for the Deaf, for the loan of works by Betty G. Miller; Lesley Kushner and Lewis Merkin
for the loan of works by Susan Dupor; and Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Bruce for the loan of works by Robin Taylor. Sally Hambrecht for her donation of wine for the reception. John Dunleavy, Hedy Udkovich Stern, Ron Trumble
and Guy Wonder, for serving as Gallery tour guides. Ron Trumble for the dresser and podium specially designed and made for this exhibit. All the volunteers who have so eagerly assisted with many different aspects of
the exhibit. |