New exhibit, UP, showcases hope and optimism at The Women’s Museum

by PegNews wire

DALLAS — The Women’s Museum, in affiliation with the Smithsonian Institution, announces the opening of “Roberta Harris: UP,” a solo exhibition of the artist’s work.

This exhibit offers a chronological view into Roberta Harris’s multitude of works, from collages and photography, to sculpture and paintings. UP provides an inherently optimistic worldview that aspires to inspire and engage audiences. The exhibit runs from July 11 - September 6, 2009.

The symbols in Roberta Harris’s work take the viewer on a journey exploring hope and its corollaries—dialogue, joy, encouragement, strategy, peace, kindness, and imagination. In a time when news, stocks, and outlooks are down, Harris reminds us that art can be about finding light in the darkness.

“The exhibit UP is fundamentally about hope,” Harris says. “Hope is not wishful thinking. Hope is rather the ability to stand amid what is broken and chaotic and envision a positive future story.”

This retrospective looks at Harris’s works from 1985 through present day. In 1985, Harris came into her own as an artist with her first retrospective, an exhibition of over 150 works, displayed in the atrium of the Transco Tower in Houston to celebrate its opening.  Since then, her art has explored the cultural significance of such symbols as the circle, checkerboard geometric patterns, birds, and other natural elements.

Roberta Harris is a Houston-area artist who has attended the University of Texas at Austin, the Parson’s School of Design, and Hunter College in New York.

This exhibit and its related programs will explore Roberta Harris’s art by dissecting her metaphors and themes. An opening reception for the exhibit will be from 3 - 5 p.m. July 11, 2009 at The Women’s Museum. Museum programs in conjunction with the exhibit include:

ArtVentures: family-centered activities where parents and kids will explore life “sunnyside UP” through the creation of art inspired by the exhibit.

Art Talk for Girls: Girls of all ages get up close and personal with artist Roberta Harris. Program includes a gallery talk and Q-and-A with lunch at 3 p.m. July 10, 2009.

Source: The Women's Museum