Individual exhibitions featured at Wake Forest art gallery

Exhibitions by Elyse Defoor

Guest artist discussions will also be held in conjunction with the exhibit. Isaac-Rose and Defoor will discuss their works prior to the opening reception at 3 p.m. Feb. 8. DUZA will discuss her work at 3 p.m. Feb. 28. Both discussions will be held in the gallery.

The exhibit features a variety of paintings, mixed media work, works on paper and silhouettes from three artists. Although the works vary, each artist’s creation is a direct or indirect response to the pressures that the socio-political world imposes on the individual.

According to Paul Bright, assistant director of the gallery, Isaac-Rose sees the world governed by large power structures. “In her work, she rages against governmental and corporate structures for perpetrating the atrocities she sees. With outlines and vigorously brushed forms she encourages viewers to question the status quo,” Bright said.

Bright describes Elyse Defoor’s work as more introspective. “She uses a nervous touch and mark that serves as seismographic indications of larger tremors. Her pieces express the awareness that outside forces or change impose parameters on individual lives,” Bright said.

DUZA uses silhouettes in her work. Her images have been described as reminiscent of the depictions of women in men’s magazines beginning in the 1960s and the opening credits from James Bond movies. “They imply that one’s identity is trivialized by the culture and viewed as a commodity. DUZA’s paper cut-outs also challenge the traditional decorousness of silhouettes by depicting women in provocative poses that range from submissive to aggressive,” Bright said.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

For more information, call 336-758-5585.