Contact:
Nicolette Woodburn
Richards/Gravelle
214.891.7765
nicolette_woodburn@richards.com
DALLAS, Aug. 10, 2005 — The Crow Collection of Asian Art, located in downtown Dallas, announces the opening of True Words: Wood Sculpture Relief by a Group of Artists from Shandong, China. This exceptional exhibit is making its third appearance in the United States since 2003. This is its second appearance in Texas. It will run at the Crow Collection from September 21, 2005 – January 2, 2006. Admission is free. The twenty pieces of the True Words exhibit are artistically captivating and emotionally moving. The works have been created by a group of deaf and mute artists in their early thirties, who live and work near the northeast coast of China.
The eight artists live with their adopted guardians in a remote village outside the town of Wei Fang, China. Notably, the works and artistic genius are not compromised by their imposing disabilities. The ability to reflect upon poignant subject matter such as family relationships, sexual anxieties and longing for brotherhood are articulated through these intricate carvings.
The artists’ highly developed visual vocabularies are presented in woodcarvings that are both extraordinarily innovative and culturally time- honored. The works encompass many traditional Chinese art and folk art traditions, while simultaneously combining the flavors of modern western art, as well as the techniques of primitive African woodcarving and Mayan culture. The juxtaposition of these various elements adds to the visual appeal of the works. The collection debuted at The China National Art Museum in Beijing in May of 1997.
“The Crow Collection of Asian Art is proud to bring this distinctive exhibit to Dallas. The combination of the artists’ touching stories and the aesthetics of the carvings distinguishes this very special collection,” said Amy Lewis Hofland, director of The Crow Collection of Asian Art. “We encourage visitors and members alike to come to the museum and take advantage of this unique opportunity.”
In celebration of this exhibit, The Crow Collection of Asian Art will sponsor a Members’ Preview event; a public lecture by Christopher Zhu, the exhibition curator; and SCULPT IT!, a fun family festival. The Members’ Preview will be held on Tuesday, September 20 from 6-8 p.m. For admission to the Members’ Preview, visitors may join the membership program, Friends of the Crow Collection. For more information, please visit www.crowcollection.org.
The public lecture will be held on Thursday, September 22 at 7 p.m. Mr. Zhu is the former deputy director of the Shanghai Museum and the Asian Art Advisor to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He became aware of the artists of True Words in 1998 and will present an insightful lecture on their lives and works. To celebrate the art of sculpture, families are invited to SCULPT IT! on September 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There will be live Chinese music, a wood sculpture demonstration, and hands-on children’s art activities.
Each event will be held at The Crow Collection of Asian Art, located at 2010 Flora Street, Dallas. The Crow Collection of Asian Art is open Tuesdays – Sundays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. with extended hours on Thursdays until 9 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.crowcollection.org or call 214-979-6440.
The Trammell & Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art contains more than 600 paintings, objects of metal and stone, and large architectural pieces from China, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia. Over 300 works are on display in the galleries including precious jade ornaments from China, delicate Japanese scrolls and a rarely seen twenty-eight foot by twelve foot sandstone facade of an eighteenth century Indian residence.
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