IMAS - ONGOING ART EXHIBITS - MCALLEN TEXAS

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You Are Not Here by Ron English

You Are Not Here will be on exhibit at IMAS from Thursday, March 31, 2011 through Sunday, August 14, 2011

Exhibit Opening Reception will be Thursday, March 31, 2011 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Ron English is an American contemporary artist who was born in 1959 and grew up in Decatur, Illinois. English coined the term POPaganda to describe his signature mash-up of high and low cultural touchstones, from superhero mythology to figures of art history, populated with his vast and constantly growing arsenal of his original characters.

Some of his influences include Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, the band Kiss, and the advertisements he sees around him. Pop culture plays a huge part in his work, especially in his politically charged billboards and street art. Some of his main targets in these pieces are Joe Camel, McDonalds, and Mickey Mouse. Ron English also has a craft of using corporate icons and manipulating them in a way in which they go against the image and message of the very corporation they were meant to represent. Music is also a big part of his life, having created album covers, collaborated with musicians, and even written lyrics.

Ron English has participated in both sanctioned and illegal public art campaigns since the early eighties, all in the name of art. Some of his extralegal murals include one on the Berlin Wall's Checkpoint Charlie in 1989 and one on the Palestinian separation wall in the West Bank in 2007, with fellow street artists Banksy and Swoon. He is the subject of the documentary Popaganda by Pedro Carvajal and even has his own action figure created by Michael Leavitt.

An Opening Reception will take place on Thursday, March 31, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and will include food and refreshments, and an exhibit synopsis by the artist.

All opening receptions are FREE for IMAS Members, and included in General Admission for non-members: $7 Adults, $5 Seniors/Students w/ID, $4 Children (ages 4-12).

For more information, call IMAS at (956)682-1564.

MCALLEN, TEXAS


"Arte de la Frontera" - In association with Texas Biennial 2011.

The exhibition, "Arte de la Frontera" will be on display at IMAS Thursday, April 28, 2011 through Sunday, September 4, 2011.

The International Museum of Art & Science presents Arte de la Frontera in association with Texas Biennial 2011. Originating in 2005, the Texas Biennial is a project of Big Medium, an Austin based non-profit organization which aims to promote contemporary visual art in Texas. Joining over 60 organizations from around the state of Texas, IMAS will feature works of art from 21 regional artists. This year marks IMAS' first time participating in this state wide celebration of the arts.

Curated by IMAS Executive Director Joseph Bravo and STC Asst. Chair of Visual Arts & Music Tom Matthews (TX Biennial 2007, 2009 artist) Arte de la Frontera is located in the Central Gallery, and will feature a unique amalgamation of art, including sculptures, paintings, jewelry, print, installations and mixed media.

This year's artist include: Cande Aguilar, Mark Clark, Jesus de la Rosa, M.C. Farris, David M. Freeman, Veronica Laegar, Linda Lewis, George Lorio, Miria Martinez, Jessica Monroe, Nancy Moyer, Thomas Murray, Scott Nicol, Steven Ortiz, Karen Sanders, Rosendo Sandoval, Richard Smith, Donna Sweigart, Paul Valadez (TX Biennial 2009 artist), Benjamin Varela and Fulden S. Wissinger.This will be the fourth edition of the Texas Biennial 2011, which was originated in 2005. The core of each Biennial to date has been a group exhibition of art works selected from submissions gathered from throughout the state. In 2005 and 2007, the Biennial was juried by a panel composed of active members of the Texas visuals arts community. In 2009, artists were selected by noted critic and Los Angeles-based independent curator, Michael Duncan. This selection process was also followed for 2011, with New-York based art historian and art lawyer Virginia Rutledge serving as Biennial curator.

An Opening Reception for Arte de la Frontera will take place on Thursday, April 28, 2011 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and will include complimentary food and refreshments.

All Opening Receptions are FREE for IMAS Members, and included in General Admission for non-members. General Admission: $7 Adults, $5 Seniors/Students w/ID, $4 Children (ages 4-12).

For more information, call IMAS at (956)682-1564.

MCALLEN TEXAS