October, 2014 September 26 2014
Traveling Light by Anna Tomczak: October 4 - 25, 2014
Opening reception: Saturday, October 4, 4-7pm
In the alt_space: Lux by Robert C. Beck: on exhibit through October 11, 2014
New Smyrna Beach, FL — Arts on Douglas announces the opening of a new solo exhibition featuring a collection of photo-based mixed media, original 20 x 24 large-format Polaroid transfers on watercolor paper, and limited edition prints created by nationally known artist Anna Tomczak. The exhibition, Traveling Light by Anna Tomczak will be on view from October 4 – 25, 2014, with an opening reception on Saturday, October 4, 4 -7pm. In the alt_space: Lux by Robert C. Beck will be on view through October 11, 2014. Beck will hold an Artists Talk on Friday, October 10, 11am, and Anna Tomczak is scheduled for Friday, October 24, at 11am. All events and exhibitions are free and open to the public.
Anna Tomczak’s new exhibition, Traveling Light, is an exploration of materials, alternative image transfer techniques, and affect. The exhibition draws inspiration from her ongoing interest in experimental techniques, as well as her instructional workshops and travels to Spain, Croatia, Prague, France, Mexico, and Italy.
Several years ago, the artist adopted the practice of applying pure beeswax to her large format 20 x 24 Polaroid transfers to enhance their luminosity and color. In this body of work, Tomczak has extended this practice to include a repertoire of experiments with surface texture, encaustic techniques, and alternative image transfer methods.
Embedded within Tomczak’s work is a personal and historical matrix of interconnections, deviations, and innovations. Following the modernist tradition, Tomczak elevates everyday objects to the realm of fine art. She uses found objects and ephemera, such as photographs, manuscripts, souvenirs, texts, and illustrations to create photographic mixed media hybrids. From these hybrids emerge a visual vocabulary that is densely layered with texture, color, and narrative. While this constructed language is singular, her fortuitous arrangements unfold new associations and expressive meanings. "When I am working on a piece, there is not always a clear intention of what I wish to convey. It is very much a stream of consciousness and an exploration. Often an artifact that I combine within a piece does not reveal its meaning until the piece is finished," Tomczak stated.
About the Artist
Anna Tomczak earned a BA in Theater Arts-Film Studies from Pennsylvania State University and an MFA in Fine Art Photography from the University of Florida. This combination of theater, film, and photography provided her with the foundation for developing dramatic imagery realized in her current work. Tomczak's work is in notable collections such as the Brooklyn Museum of Art, Harn Museum of Art, Norton Museum of Art, Polaroid International Collections, and Tampa Museum of Art. She has received several artist grants and fellowships including the Florida Individual Artist Fellowship and Career Enhancement Grant; Polaroid Artist Support Program Grant, and Escape to Create Artist Fellowship. She has also participated in prominent residency programs including Loft Nota Bene Artist Residency, Spain; Penland School Artist Retreat, North Carolina; Southeast Museum of Photography, Florida; Atlantic Center for the Arts Cultural Exchange; and La Napoule Arts Foundation, France. Her work has been featured in monographs and publications such as: Sanctuary: Anna Tomczak, Photography, Picturing Florida,The Georgia Review, View Camera Magazine, Camera Arts, Studio Photography and Design, Florida History Magazine, Polaroid Manipulations, Photo Portfolio Success, and Digital Photo Art. The artist resides in Lake Helen, Florida, with her husband Mark Shuttleworth, Buckwheat the cat, Buddy the dog and two birds.
Artists Talk Lecture Series:
Robert C. Beck, Friday, October 10, 11am
Anna Tomczak: Friday, October 24, 11am
In addition to a robust exhibition program, the gallery also hosts Artists Talk, a series of speakers, demonstrations, and events. For the month of October, the Artists Talk series provides an opportunity to learn more about the process, techniques, and inspiration of Robert Beck and Anna Tomczak. Robert Beck will hold an Artist Talk on Friday, October 10th at 11am, and Anna Tomczak is scheduled for Friday, October 24, at 11am.
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