2nd Place Award at 2013 Arts Council Juried Art Exhibit

2013 Arts Council Juried Art Exhibit is going on right now at CityArts in downtown Wichita, KS.  Two of my paintings, Sojourning #16 and Sojourning #20, are included in this show.  Sojourning #16 was selected as the 2nd place out of the works by more than 50 artists.  It is pretty exciting!   

 Sojourning #20

 Sojourning #16

The ceramic ball in front of my painting is not a part of my work, by the way.  The show will be on display until Nov. 23. 2013.   

CityArts
334 N. Mead St. Wichita, KS 67202
Oct. 23 - Nov. 23, 2013
Mon. - Thu.  10:00am-9:00pm
Fri.              10:00am-5:00pm
Sat.             10:00am-4:00pm

Upcoming Arts Council Juried Art Exhibit at CityArts

Two of my paintings from the "Sojourning" series have been accepted to the 2013 Arts Council Juried Art Exhibit at CityArts, Wichita, KS.  This is the third consecutive year that my paintings were accepted to this juried show.  This year's juror is Rachel Epp Buller, Ph.D.  She is an assistant professor of Art at Bethel College in Newton, KS and author or "Reconciling Art and Mothering".  Maybe I should read that book.

CityArts
334 N. Mead St. Wichita, KS 67202
Oct. 23 - Nov. 23, 2013
Mon. - Thu.  10:00am-9:00pm
Fri.              10:00am-5:00pm
Sat.             10:00am-4:00pm
Final Friday Gallery Crawl Opening:  Oct. 25, 2013  5:00pm - 9:00pm

A Thread X (Meets) A Thread - Installation Art

My solo exhibition at The Fiber Studio ended, and my installation art piece, "A Thread X (Meets) A Thread" was taken down.  I made this piece to express my appreciation of meeting people, so I am dreaming that this piece will travel around the world in some more exhibits and meet even more people!  Thank you to those of you who participated in making this piece by adding the threads.  Here are some photos of the piece after the show ended.  The artist statement for this work is here.

 I am hoping this installation art piece will be exhibited in different countries and meet more people.  この作品がさらに様々な国で展示され、より多くの人と出会うことを願っています。

J'espère que cette pièce d'art d'installation sera exposée dans différents pays et rencontrera plus de gens.

Espero que esta obra de arte de instalación se exhibirá en diferentes países y conocer a más personas.

Ich hoffe, diese Installation Kunstwerk wird in verschiedenen Ländern ausgestellt werden und treffen mehr Menschen.

 我希望這個安裝藝術品將在不同的國家展出，滿足更多的人。

Artist Talk

     Last week, I had an opportunity to talk about my work to a couple of art classes. One was a college students' class, and another was a junior high school students'. I love talking about my work!  After the talk, they collaborated with me in making my installation art piece by adding more threads.  This interactive experience with my installation art must have been a little different from their regular art classes.  I appreciate the art teachers and the parents who brought the students down to the gallery.

Final Friday

     On Final Friday, Wichita's Gallery Crawl event, almost 900 people came to my show at the Fiber Studio.  A lot of  threads were added to the installation piece, so the piece has become more meaningful.  My hope is that it will eventually become like a piece of cloth someday.  It will remain as a "work in progress" whenever there is a presence of a new viewer in the space.

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     I received many good comments and several paintings were sold.   It has been definitely a memorable show for me for many reasons.  I really thank people who have helped.  If you missed Final Friday, the show is up till Oct. 12th by appointment or by chance.  The Fiber Studio 316-303-1996

Scenes of Threads Solo Exhibition Opening Reception

Thank you so much for coming to the opening reception of my solo exhibition.  I had the warmest night; meeting long-time friends as well as new friends.  Thank you for co-authoring my work by adding your threads!  If you could not make it to the opening reception, the gallery is open for Final Friday Gallery Crawl on Sep. 27th. The gallery is also open by appointment or by chance till Oct. 12th.

 

 

 

 

Installing Day

I installed the installation art piece in the gallery for the upcoming solo exhibition.

I had a great help by my fellow artist Mike Miller who is a sculptor and an instructor at Newman University, Wichita, KS.  Installing was not very easy, but result looks amazing. The opening reception is this coming Friday, September 20th.  I hope you can come check it out if you are in this area.

Place:  The Fiber Studio, 418 S. Commerce St., Wichita, KS
Time:  September 20 - October. 12, 2013
Opening Reception:  September 20, 2013 5:00 - 8:00pm

Upcoming Solo Exhibition - Scenes of Threads

Click it for the larger image. 

Solo Exhibition

I am expecting a solo exhibition this fall.  For this show, I am planning to show my paintings and an installation art piece.  Right now,  I am preparing for the installation piece at home.  The material for this work is thread, which was given by the owner of the gallery.  Even though there is no material cost for this installation art, it has a lot of labor and thought put into it!  I hope it will turn out good and interesting.

Here is the brief schedule that I know so far.  I will update the details later.
Place:  The Fiber Studio, 418 S. Commerce St., Wichita, KS
Time:  September 20 - October. 12, 2013
Opening Reception:  September 20, 2013

The Shocker Magazine

My installation art piece "Tumbled, Dried, and Softened" was featured in the "Shock Art" section of the Shocker Magazine from Wichita State University (WSU) Alumni Association.   This Spring edition of 2013 is shockingly cool with the article on the WSU men's basketball team which made it to the Final Four this year.  It was WSU's first trip to the Final Four in 48 years.  This magazine can become a memorabilia item for WSU basketball fans!  My work is published on p.19 with a color illustration and a short artist statement.

For more information about the Shocker magazine, go to The Shocker .

2013 B & A Show at t Gallery in Ochanomizu, Tokyo

A friend of mine in Japan kindly went to see the 2013 B & A Show in Tokyo and sent these photos for me.  The show has ended, but I just want to share these photos.  

This was the very first show at a newly opened gallery called "t" gallery in Ochanomizu.  "t" came from the shape of a cross, "t"alent, and "t"ransmission.  This gallery is opened with the hope of "transmitting the meaning of the cross through our own individually given talent."   In this show, the works by 42 artists were exhibited.  I am so thankful that my painting "Sojourning #12" was included in this commemorative show.  

日本に住む私の友人が２０１３年 B&A Show に足を運んでくれ、写真を送ってくれました。このショーは　tギャラリーというお茶の水に新しくできたギャラリーの最初のショーです。tギャラリーのｔは十字架、タラント（賜物）、トランスミッション（伝達、伝送）の意味だそうです。「それぞれが与えられた賜物を通して、十字架の意味を伝えていく働き」という意味がこめられたギャラリーだそうです。この展示会には４２人のアーティストの方々の作品が展示されました。このギャラリーのオープニングを記念する展示会に私の絵、『寄留　No.12』を含めていただけたことを心から感謝しています。

My Painting on CD Cover

The person who bought one of my paintings three years ago is a musician.  She recently published her new original music CD.  The the image of my painting is the album cover, and the title of the painting is the album title.  I feel so honored!

The painting displayed at my solo exhibition three years ago

Where Am I From, Where Am I Going

by Ellen Burr & Michael Unruh

Cover Art by Chiyoko Myose

Layout and Design by Holly Hood

Ellen's website: www.ellenburr.com

B & A Show in Tokyo, Japan

My painting has been exhibited in a group show in Tokyo, Japan.

2013 B&A Show
t gallery OCC Building 5F
2 - 1 Surugadai, Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0062
tel:  03-5341-6911

Date : May 20 - June 1, 2013
Hours: 11:00 - 18:00
Mon - Sat. (Sunday is closed)
Opening Reception:  May 20, 2013  14:00
Closing day  June 1, 11:00 - 17:00


東京にて私の絵がグループ展にて展示されています。お茶の水にできた新しいギャラリーです。是非、ご来場ください。

tギャラリーオープン記念展
2013 B&A Show

１０１－００６２
東京都千代田区神田駿河台２－１、OCCビル５階
tギャラリー
tel : 03- 5341-6911

5/20~6/1 (日曜休館) 11:00 ~ 18:00
初日5/20 (月) 13:00 ~ 18:00
最終日6/1 (土) 11:00 - 17:00

Tumbled, Dried, and Softened -- Installation Art with Dryer Sheets

Here are some more photos of my installation art piece, 'Tumbled, Dried, and Softened'.   It is made of about 1,500 pieces of used dryer sheet.  The artist statement and more photos are here.  Tumbled, Dried, and Softened  

There is going to be a closing reception.

Surface: Sculpture Guild Annual Show
Closing Reception:  April 27th, 2013  6:00pm - 10:00pm
Place: Basement of Mid-America Fine Arts Gallery
401 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS, 67202

Sculpture Guild Annual Show 'Surface' -- Tumbled, Dried, and Softened

The opening reception of Sculpture Guild Annual Show 'Surface' is over and I am relieved that our show turned out great and many people came.

My piece was made of dryer sheets hand-sewn together.  The title of the piece  'Tumbled, Dried, & Softened' is about what happens to our clothes, the surface of our body, if we pretend that we are in a dryer machine.  The whole piece reminds me of relationships with people.  It was interesting to see how people interacted with my piece.  Some people even shared their own thoughts to me about their relationships with others.

These next two pictures show how the piece was interacting with other artists' works.  I thought they were quite beautiful.

As usual, during the time of making this installation piece, I went through a moment when I wanted to cry.  Sewing together 1,500 sheets of dryer sheets was like an endless job!  I want to thank the people who helped me including my daughter who encouraged me to continue making it.  The show was reviewed here:  KMUW Art Review

Upcoming Show... Surface: Sculpture Guild Annual Show

I am showing an installation art piece at Sculpture Guild Annual Show this Final Friday.

Surface: Sculpture Guild Annual Show
Opening Reception:  March 29th, 2013  6:00pm - 10:00pm
Place: Basement of Mid-America Fine Arts Gallery
401 E. Douglas, Suite 300, Wichita, KS, 67202

The theme for this year's show is 'surface.'  When I heard the word 'surface,' I immediately thought of a 'dryer sheet.'  I started ironing, cutting, and ripping them.

 I went to a laundry frequently and collected used dryer sheets.  The ladies who are working there also collected them voluntarily and gave them to me every week, which became a big help.  I also asked some customers if they could give me their used dryer sheets.   Some people asked 'what are you going to do with them?'  They seemed liking the idea that I was going to use them for an installation art.

 This is part of the space where we're going to have the show.  It is a huge basement owned by Mid-America Fine Arts Gallery in downtown Wichita.  I went there several times and spent time there to develop the idea.

After one and a half months of preparation, installing the work started three days ago.  

The support part was set up thanks to a Guild member's help.

The opening reception is in just a couple of days.  I hope the show will turn out great!