Water – a life source of this planet – supports not only biological life but also affects the socio-cultural ethos of civilizations that evolved around water bodies. Cultures have therefore revered water through their rituals, folklores, and celebrations around waters of their lands.
Water is approached through different lenses of Art. A poet can personify Water or an artist can imagine it as sheer fluid colors. This interdisciplinary exhibit attempts to explore water in storytelling and histories across Asian diasporic communities. Installations of leaves and flora/fauna/fungi honor the scientific work of Professor Emeritus Govindjee and Photobiology scientist Rajni V. Govindjee, while personal stories and memories of water are conveyed through acrylics and watercolors. As in the poem by Mohan, or Vietnamese Folklore Illustrations from Dr Wei depicting Flowers from a lake, the deep relationship between waters and Asian diasporic peoples connects our diverse communities, stories, and cultures.
Water has been compared to Yin energy. It affects our emotions. It soothes and opens our heart, speaking to us if we can hear its language. We are delighted to have a glance at these cultural aspects of Asian waters through this art exhibit – Waters of Asia.
Opening Reception: Friday, April 4, 3-5pm
Open Building Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Featuring:
Olivia Mahaffey | watercolor painting
Ian Wang | acrylic painting
Mingming Peng | alcohol ink painting
Mohan Tracy | textile & paper
Ascend Art360 collaborative | photography
Dr Tam Wei | prints
Kuldeepa V.M. | Sumie ink on paper
Inyoung Jang | watercolor painting
Oishii Basu | watercolor painting
Jinwon Oh | watercolor painting
Flordemia Conrad | watercolor painting
Michelle Le | book display
