“Compass” an Exhibition Curated by Amy Grimm at the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art (OCCCA)

I am proud to be part of COMPASS, an exhibition curated by Amy Grimm at the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art (OCCCA) exploring on issues related to gender, race, religion, sexuality, politics, science, technology, psychology, etc. Located in the metropolitan L.A. Area, opening Saturday October 5, 6-10 p.m. and running through November 16.

[I Am], I contain Multitudes, a large encaustic self portrait from my [I Am] Series, got accepted into this international show that “includes artists who are participating in an internal and external dialog about themselves, others, and how they have navigated their lives within the communities in which they live.”

[I Am], I Contain Multitudes. Ego or identity label by artist Andreina Davila (Self-portrait)
Encaustic Mixed Media on Wood | 36″ Diameter | 2013 | I am Series

Inspired by a verse of a “Song of Myself” poem by Walt Whitman, the piece portrays the plural and constant nature of my ego or Self-Identity. It intends to embrace the paradox of true joy vs. ongoing exhaustion, when intending to fulfill many aspects of one’s identity.

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Although the artists are employing a broad range of styles and media, many are addressing the act of societal labeling, by appropriating and using these stereotypes and slurs. And, often moving beyond the motivations or historic use of these terms, artists are bravely participating in a re-contextualization of these terms. In many ways this appropriation of language may be evaluated as a reversal of power by those who have been marginalized or othered. (Some of the featured pieces bellow)

As participants in this larger dialog, artists are redefining often painful language into a language that serves a growing range of purposes such as intentionality, awareness, humor, emotional armor or as a broad claim to power

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Unfortunately, due to previous engagements, I wont be able to attend any of opening receptions or the curator talk but will try to make it to the concert on Nov. 15th. Here are the key dates, in case you can make it:

Orange County Center for Contemporary Art
117 North Sycamore,
Santa Ana, CA. 92701 USA

Opening Receptions: Saturday, October 5th, 6-10pm and, Saturday, November 2nd, 6-10pm
Curator Talk: The curator, Amy Grimm, will give a talk on Saturday, October 26th from 2:00PM – 3:00 PM
Concerts @ OCCCA: Dean Moore, My Beautiful Leah, November 15th, 7pm

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Curator Amy V. Grimm
Independent Curator and Associate Professor of Art History
& Museum Studies: Irvine Valley College

The OCCCA guest curator for Compass, Amy V. Grimm has degrees in both Art History and Psychology and has lectured extensively on contemporary art and issues of identity. Combining her research interests with compassion and humor, Grimm combines her academic training to address complex and often challenging issues in identity.