African American artists exhibit work in UHCL’s Art Gallery
Eight Houston-area artists will be showcasing their work in the first exhibition of the new year at University of Houston-Clear Lake’s Art Gallery. The exhibition, entitled “African American Artists,” opens Jan. 21 and continues through March 21.
Artist and exhibition co-curator Eddie Filer, who received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UH-Clear Lake, said that he submitted five pieces to be showcased. “I’m a portrait artist, and the pieces that I have in this show speak about some of the entertainers I grew up with,” he said. “My portraits are narrative; they include a bit more about the person to help tell the story of who they are. I might paint them in their environment, with some objects or words that show people more than just the person physically.”
He said he has painted portraits of celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Nelson Mandela and Louis Armstrong. “Portraits just come naturally to me,” he said. “I’ve always done it. I feel like I didn’t pick it, it picked me. I’ve always been fascinated with people and faces, and it’s exciting to me to create a face that has life and breath out of a blank white canvas.”
Other artists exhibiting their work include Afi Ese and Gail Mallory.
“I hope people come to see this beautiful show,” Filer said. “The exhibition has work from different media, and it’s just a small example of the large body of work we’ve done.”
For more information about UHCL’s Art Gallery, visit www.uhcl.edu/art-gallery
University of Houston-Clear Lake offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and three doctoral programs, from its four colleges, formerly known as schools, which include the College of Business, College of Education, College of Human Sciences and Humanities, and College of Science and Engineering. In 2011, the university gained approval from the state to add freshman- and sophomore-level courses to its roster and welcomed its first freshman class in fall 2014. For more information about the university, visit http://www.uhcl.edu.
UHCL Here, We Go is a bold commitment of the university community to partner with alumni, friends, parents and families to expand opportunities for students across Bay Area Houston and beyond. The campaign is defined by four core principles: engaged teaching, inspired learning, fearless imagination and emerging opportunities. To find out more, visit http://www.uhcl.edu/here-we-go/.
