Gallery Z to feature Cuban Armenian artist

Published: Thursday August 26, 2010

Astrid. Untitled from the Unknown Portrait Series. 2010.

Providence - The opening reception for a solo show of work by the artist Astrid will take place September 16 at Gallery Z.

Astrid is of Armenian origin but was born in Havana, Cuba. She came to the US to pursue her art education first at Penn State and then at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA before earning her BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design. She then received her MFA in Sculpture from Hunter College in New York City. Astrid has since exhibited frequently in museums and galleries throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New York.

Astrid has taught sculpture at the University of Rhode Island, Kingston and maintains two studios: one at AS220 in Providence and one on Cape Cod. She is a member of the Provincetown Art Association and Museum and the South County Art Association of Kingston, RI

Though she has achieved recognition as an installation artist, much of Astrid's work has focused on portraits and faces in part because her early training was centered on portraiture as there were no nude models in her drawing classes at Gonzaga University, a Jesuit school.

In recent years, she has embraced this theme with her series entitled "Unknown Portraits." The emotions of the faces in this series range, and Astrid calls this vast variety of appearances "the human landscape." The emotional aspect of each face is what makes them "unknown" to the viewer: we are emotionally affected so that we understand the soul of the person the artist has created, but the person does not remind us of anyone real we know. Rather, perhaps, the portrait becomes a reflection of us.

Astrid's most recent work also reflects many of the aesthetic values of Chinese calligraphy. Her work done in sumi ink and brush emulates the fresh, spontaneous lines of the Chinese that appear to be completed instantly and effortlessly.

For her opening reception at Gallery Z, Astrid will display her sculptural and installation talent by creating a small "lawn" on the sidewalk outside the gallery. It will be an active complement to her show and will only be on display on Thursday, September 16th.

This show will run from September 1-October 2. Gallery Z's 10th anniversary is approaching in January 2011! This marks our 97th exhibit.

Our Art, Food & Wine Creating Awareness for a Cause event is held at the gallery on the last Thursday of every month. For this month's event, Gallery Z partners with Marriage Equality Rhode Island and will host a fundraising event to elevate public consciousness for their cause on Thursday, September 30th. This event, which will run from 5:00 - 7:00pm, will feature cuisine provided by a local restaurant and world-class hand selected wine provided by Mark Gasbarro of Gasbarro's Wines located at 361 Atwells Ave. on Historic Federal Hill (www.galleryzprov.com)

Located on Historic Federal Hill in Providence, Gallery Z provides the Rhode Island community with an eclectic collection of art by Armenian, local, national, and international artists from the 20th century to the present. Since its inception in 2001 by photographer Bérge Ara Zobian, Gallery Z has been spearheading efforts to connect the public with the growing arts community.

The gallery's public art window was created in the same spirit, geared towards raising awareness of issues of importance to those in our community. Gallery Z is a member of Gallery Night, Providence, and holds opening receptions on the third Thursday of each month. Gallery Z offers an intimate setting that attracts a diverse clientele and provides a center for experiencing fine art in a historic neighborhood in Providence.

Gallery Hours: Wed - Sat 12-8pm, by appointment or by chance
Gallery Z is a tax free zone
Directions to Gallery Z:

From the North:
Take 95 South to Exit 21. At the end of the exit ramp, take a right onto Atwells Avenue.

From the South:
Take 95 North to exit 21. At the second set of lights take a left onto Atwells Avenue.
This constantly evolving space features a fresh, eclectic mix of the work from over 60 artists represented by Gallery Z.