Artist of the Corridor: Jason Patterson
The City of Urbana invites the public to view the latest Artist of the Corridor exhibition featuring Urbana artist Jason Patterson.
The subject matter in his work is predominately portraiture, with American cultural, political, social and historical themes. Patterson describes himself as a "History Painter", although, technically, his work is created with heavily spray-fixed chalk pastel on raw canvas (a technique that would be best described as drawing). He uses this approach in order to bring traditional or archaic representational qualities into a contemporary context, reestablishing the object-hood of the piece, through attention to its unusual physicality. The work that he makes is not solely meant to represent the image being depicted. It is also meant to represent the image's original format.
As references, he uses Google image search results, YouTube video stills, photographs from the Library of Congress archives, newspaper clippings, etc. In highlighting those sources, a clearer documentation of the means we have used to create the visual components of our cultural history, is recognized.
Jason Patterson is free, open to the public, and will be on display in the City Building lobby at 400 S. Vine Street in Urbana through May 4, 2014.
Jason Patterson maintains a studio practice in Urbana, IL. The City created an art exhibition space in March 2010 to feature artwork by Urbana artists in the City Building. Artist of the Corridor exhibitions are displayed for a period of three months. As a part of the Urbana Public Arts Program, this initiative works to create a city where all residents engage with the arts in its many forms and where artists thrive and are valued.
For additional information, contact Public Arts Coordinator Lisa Hatchadoorian at 217.328.8265, or by email at lhatchadoorian@urbanaillinois.us. The Urbana Public Arts Program can be found online at http://urbanaillinois.us/arts, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/urbanapublicarts, and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/urbanapublicart.
