Art & Commentary on Presidential Controversies
Presented by Alfred J. Quiroz on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 6 p.m.
A collaboration between the Confluencenter for Creative Inquiry
and The University of Arizona Museum of Art
“UA Art professor Alfred J. Quiroz shows arts works that are not included in his current University of Arizona Museum of Art show and discusses his sensational, satirical and meticulously-researched paintings in an interactive Show & Tell @ Playground presentation.
While “The Presidential Series: Paintings by Alfred J. Quiroz” exhibit features bright colors, caricaturesque qualities and sensational subject matter that seems humorous on the surface, the artist layers the paintings with historical references that comment on the many controversies surrounding the Commanders-in-Chief.
“The work encompasses presidents that I have depicted that correlated to pertinent contemporary issues. My aim in this series was to depict the immoralities of our ‘elected’ leaders of this country,” explains Quiroz.
Museum Curator Olivia Miller, who brought the exhibit to the Museum, says “Quiroz’s paintings are overwhelming to see. Not only does their sheer size and brilliant use of color entrance the viewer, but they are also meticulously constructed and embedded with layer upon layer of complex symbolism.”
Quiroz’s work has been exhibited internationally and featured in publications such as Art in America, Artforum, and Art Week.
Show & Tell takes place at Playground Bar & Lounge, 278 E. Congress St. The museum hosts the artist’s reception and catalogue signing on Nov. 17 at 5:00 p.m., 1031 N. Olive Rd. The exhibit runs Oct. 22–Jan. 22, 2017.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jamie Manser, (520) 621-0599, jlmanser@email.arizona.edu (re: Confluencenter/Show & Tell)
Gina Compitello, (520) 626-7978, ginacompitello@email.arizona.edu (re: Alfred J. Quiroz/UAMA)
Carolyn’s note: Dropped by the UAMA for a sneak look at this “The Presidential Series” of artwork by Professor Quiroz — very powerful and critical of the U.S. Presidents including George Washington, Abe Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, George W. Bush, etc. Check it out this week . There’s even a humorous one of our current President Barack Obama. Wonder how he will portray 2016 President-elect Donald Trump?
Over 100 people stopped by to view this novel show at the reception tonight at the UA Museum of Art, caricatures of the U.S. Presidents from Washington to Obama. George Washington is shown as a black man, and Barack Obama has blonde hair, amazing! I requested that UAMA staff ask Prof. Quiroz to give a talk about how he researched and drew these large oil on wooden board art pieces. I also related to some attendees tonight about meeting a BU Law Professor in England, who knew JFK back when he was a U.S. Senator in D.C. Don’t this show to see how the Presidents are portrayed in our history– showing till end of January 22, 2017.