Other artists too, for South on Main show.
by Leslie Newell PeacockThe Oxford American's South on Main space opened its first exhibition of fine art Wednesday, a show featuring the work of a native Arkansan who lives in Paris and other artists, several of whom hail from across the pond. Hence the name, "Crossing Borders," brought to the OA by Susan Mumford art. Special events — talks, workshops and wine tastings — will accompany the exhibition, which will run through Aug. 10.
Arkansans will recognize the work of Marcus McAllister, who has shown at Gallery 26 and now lives in Paris. He works in kind of double-exposure style that combines figurative and abstracted forms. Visitors to the show will recognize the places captured by British photographer Chris King, whose work includes scenes of the South and is meant to encapsulate the idea of the show: How do artists from elsewhere see the South or other places their work takes them?
King and McAllister will be in Little Rock during the run of the show and will give a talk about their work from 3-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. There will be a $5 charge. Prior to that will be a tasting of Southern wines from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2; entry is $10.
Other artists include Kimo Minton, who is originally from Santa Fe but now spends half a year in London. He works in a style reminiscent of Le Corbusier — geometrical abstract figures fitted together — that he says is inspired by jazz. Mia Fernandes, who lives in the south of France, will show mixed media on paper. Rob Tarbell of Virginia uses smoke and colored inks to create expressive abstractions. Ryder Richards, also from New Mexico, "'draws' by igniting gunpowder," he says of his work, which here includes images of guns.
McAllister will give three workshops, "The Sketchbook as Creativity Tool," from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 3 ($50); a two-day workshop 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 5-6 ($150), and an evening workshop 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 7 ($50). Reserve a space at Arkansas@artiswhyigetupinthemorning.com
South on Main will be open for 2nd Friday Art Night from 5-8 p.m. Aug. 9, and there will be a closing reception from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 10.
Mumford, who lives in London and is married to King, also hails from Arkansas. She is a Hendrix graduate and will speak on the Hendrix campus in November about her career.