Grad Exhibits

Royal museum, men of color depicted
in artwork by CSULA grad students

Los Angeles, CA –– “The Kingdom of EpiCai” and “De Colores”—two graduate thesis exhibitions featuring a working installation of a royal museum and a series of photographs focusing on men of color, respectively—will open on Saturday, March 3, at Cal State L.A.’s Fine Arts Gallery.

Organized by Luis Bermudez, assistant professor of Art at Cal State L.A., the dual exhibition will run through March 17.

“The Kingdom Of EpiCai,” described as a feast for the eye in this Pluralistic Era, is a working installation by Geoffrey Tjakra that includes paintings, photographs, videos, sculptures, and ceramic artifacts.

Inspired by Death of the Author by French literary critic Roland Barthes, Tjakra made himself “King EpiCai” who presents the royal museum of Cai Kingdom and a replica of the royal artist studio (installed for the duration of this exhibition, where he will keep making new work).

According to Tjakra, “King EpiCai is the Picasso of the New Millennium.”

Tjakra was born in Jakarta, Indonesia, and has lived and studied in many countries. Currently residing in Los Angeles, he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University.

In “De Colores,” Juan Pacheco presents photographs of several writers, artists, educators and “street”-educated individuals who hold status within our contemporary community. They are presented “within an anonymous context,” according to Pacheco.

“These images are intended to inspire an individual confrontational investigation of stereotypical views concerning men of color,” he says.

Pacheco explains that his work has its roots in the investigation of In The American West by photographer Richard Avedon and the expression of individual identity within a multicultural society featured in The Americans by photographer Robert Frank.

A Los Angeles resident, Pacheco received his bachelor’s degree in Art from Cal State Long Beach.

The Fine Arts Gallery is a program of the Department of Art at Cal State L.A. Admission to its exhibits is free.

What:
Two graduate thesis exhibitions: “The Kingdom of EpiCai” by Geoffrey Tjakra and “De Colores” by Juan Pacheco

When:
March 3 - March 17, 2007

Opening:
The opening reception is Saturday, March 3, 2007, 6-8 p.m.

Location:
Fine Arts Gallery in the Fine Arts Building, located on the campus of Cal State L.A., at the intersection of the #10 and #710 freeways.
Directions may be found at: www.calstatela.edu

Parking:
Public parking available at Parking Structure 2
(Permit dispenser - $.50/hour)

Hours:
Monday through Thursday and Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.

Admission:
Free of charge. Fine Arts Gallery: (323) 343-4040

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