Immigrants Songs

"IMMIGRANTS SONGS: Five Contemporary Immigrant Artists"

"IMMIGRANTS SONGS: Five Immigrant Artists" 
OPENING RECEPTION: THURSDAY, MARCH 5TH, 6:00PM - 8:30PM. 
ON VIEW: 
MARCH 5 – APRIL 4, 2020. 
FREDERICK HOLMES - GALLERY OF MODERN & CONTEMPORARY ART
309 Occidental Ave S (in Occidental Square) Seattle, WA. 98104 

ARTISTS:
Filmon Adelehey / Eritrea: Seattle-Based, Self-Taught Palette Knife Painter
Carlos Barberena / Nicaragua: Chicago-Based, Internationally Recognized Master Printmaker
Lou Beach (nee “Lubicz) / Poland: Los Angeles-Based, Nationally Recognized Collage Artist
Ashkon Hadari / Iran: Chicago-Based, Emerging Artist
Yulia Kusnetsova / Russia: Chicago-Based, Emerging Artist

"Riding the Beast" Linocut by Carlos Barberena

2020 is a critical election year, one made deeply personal for those whose personal narratives include the immigration from their home countries. Their concern for the future of immigration is for many an existential one; for others, an empathetic concern for those who reside in America, uncertain of their status, and for those who’ve yet to make the journey.

In the minds of most of us, there’s no question about the immense contributions made by those willing to risk everything in pursuit of freedom, opportunity, personal safety, or a future for their children. The same courage, determination, idealism, and even moral virtue required to leave everything you know and love, in order to start over in a new country, with little to nothing, not speaking or understanding your new country’s language, are the very building blocks of the foundation we revere as “American character”.

While it might go without saying that we are a “nation of immigrants”, much of America’s history is replete with anti-immigration fervor, discrimination, and violence; particularly in the last several years. And while much of the current concern is for those south of the US border, the gallery invited five artists from around the world. Because America's polarized, discriminatory history of immigration didn't begin with our southern borders, nor will it likely end there.

This show highlights and celebrates the recent work, created or selected specifically for this important exhibition, of five artists whose lives began in other lands and who are now interweaving the cultural songs of their origins into the diverse and ever changing chorus of American culture.

Each of these five remarkable artists have their own immigration stories, ranging from post-WWII Europe to violent civil strife or oppression in their birthplaces, precipitating the need to escape and find refuge in America. The show will present their paintings, drawings, prints, & collage, accompanied by a written narrative of their personal perspectives as immigrants.

Please join us in this celebration of art as a universal language; one which transcends borders, nationality, ethnicity, politics, or faith.

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The gallery will also be hosting another in our bi-monthly performance series, HOT JAZZ AT THE GALLERY on Friday April 3rd, featuring the nationally acclaimed vocalist and recording artist, GRETA MATASSA & THE GRETA MATASSA QUINTET, 7:00-9:30 pm.
For details and ticket information, please contact the gallery [email protected]