F E A T U R E D  C O V E R   A R T

The Greatest Joy You'll Ever Know
is to Love and Be Loved in Return
Whitney Bushman // Upcoming in the Projects Gallery // Soft Opening June 10th

Bushman photographs discarded cross-stitch samplers with the intent of exposing the details of their complex, flawed, unseen backs. Backs that, in terms of cross-stitching, should be as perfect as the front. 

This body of work addresses social expectations placed on women to create façade of perfection. The artist feels the pressure of social standards urging women to conceal the messiness and imperfections that are necessary to create that pretense. Bushman exposes the chaos in the act of creation which has proven to be much more interesting, substantive and beautiful than what predetermined patterns dictate.

OPENING: JUN 10
SPEAKING OF THE UNSPEAKABLE ...
The Unspeakable Freedom Device

In Thomas's neo-medieval futuristic world, voting is banned and citizens are persuaded to follow the "Blu Lady" through the "Unspeakable Freedom Device" - a technology that "feeds" people a sense of contentment.

Thomas's work became politicized when Blackpool's city counci ll ors postponed the film's release in 2014. Due to a  " purdah "  regulation- meaning a rule that would  veil  the public during Britain's general election - the officials censored the work until  May 2015, after the  election ,  for fear that Thomas's film would influence voters.

Thomas Discusses The Unspeakable

Thomas's work emerged from the experimental culture of London's underground film and live art club scene in the 1990s, where she was a co-founder of the  Exploding Cinema Collective . Her films, performances, and installations explore questions of fantasy in everyday life, language and belief systems. 

UMOCA is proud to host an artist talk Thomas June 22, at 7PM

ABSORBING AND MIRRORING FAMILY
The Archive, The Family, & The Ego

Jim Williams's unorthodox retrospective takes place in his home, a sacred and personally charged space where his children were raised. In "265 I.... Home as Self-Portrait," Williams showcases his lifelong achievements by employing his primary medium: self-portraiture. There is a rather myopic way of looking at photographs of oneself, as egocentric, but Williams deconstructs this notion through arguing the theory that the self envelops others, including family members. The family dynamic is present within the abstractions of his work, and images of his kith and kin live within Williams's piece referencing Narcissus's pond. 

As a dedicated father, he utilizes his body as the vehicle to promote the philosophy of the self as grandeur and more than individual infatuation. By entering through the front door, the active viewer becomes an extension of Williams's house and thus an aspect to ever-evolving self and family. Tours are available throughout the summer for a maximum of 10 guests at a time - reserve a spot by sending an RSVP email to Jared.Steffensen@umoca.org. The visits to Williams's home will be from 7:00 - 8:00 PM on June 30th, July 14th, and August 11th.


FAMILIES THAT ART TOGETHER ...
Creating art with one's children has been proven to develop bilateral and fine motor coordination, boost self-esteem, and reinforce family bonds. 

The Curator of Education at Hunter Museum of American Art argues that it's vital to "use the art as a way to talk, open up, explore, and learn from each other, and from there you will grow and your comfort in the museum will grow too." 
UMOCA's Family Art Saturday

This June 11th from 2 - 4 pm will be dedicated to the museum's main gallery exhibition, Ideologue, showcasing the theme of media spectacles. Exploring concepts of perception, a trained educator will lead hands-on art making activities, including the creation of a pair of glasses with colored lenses that will be sure to alter one's point of view.

Family Art Saturday at the Historic Scott School

Promise South Salt Lake and UMOCA are excited to announce the first Promise Art 'Family Art Saturday' on Saturday, June 18th from 2-4 PM at Historic Scott School (3280 S 540 E, South Salt Lake, UT 84106). 

Explore map-making and memory together as you allow your recent and distant recollections of important places in your life to shape your collaged art map. Activities are for children of all ages and their families, and are free.

SPOTLIGHT
D O N O R  S P O T L I G H T

John Bell

As an renown artist, John Bell comprehends the vital nature of supporting contemporary art. Not only does he create pieces in conversation with political satire, pop culture, and American contradictions, but Bell also dedicates himself as a board member and frequent contributing artist at UMOCA. We are grateful and excited for Bell's physical and artistic presence at the museum. His zeal for the inner workings of the art world is integral in order to keep producing contemporary art, finding spaces for it, and funding those same artists. Thank you for your continued support of the museum and Salt Lake City's creative culture.
A R T  S H O P

Curated Collections

Crafted by local artists, these sentimental pieces will illuminate any father-figure's heart. Explore and enjoy the nostalgia in abstraction, connectivity to ceramics, or a limited edition print.

  1. John Bell, Print with acrylic boxes, $99.00
  2. Emily King, Lithograph, $45.00
  3. Jim Williams, book, $25.00
  4. Blake Palmer, photo mounted on wood, $70.00
  5. Joshua Flicker, ceramic, $57.00
     
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
JUNE 10 | 7 PM
Opening Reception
JUNE 11 | 2 - 4 PM
Family Art Saturday
JUNE 22 | 7 - 8 PM
Art Talk with Jennet Thomas
JUNE 23 - 26 
Utah Arts Festival
JUNE 30 | 7 - 8 PM
Tour Jim Williams House
JULY 11 - 15 | 9 - 3 PM
Artist in Training Camp




THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

 
The Andy Warhol Foundation For The Visual Arts



 
 
 





Zeke Dumke, IV 
and 
Analecia Dumke
Thank you to all of our supporters for making our programming possible.
THANK YOU MEDIA SPONSORS


Tues - Thurs + Sat 11 AM - 6 PM, Fri 11 AM - 9 PM | Admission is a suggested $5 donation.

© 2016. All Rights Reserved.