Playwright George Bernard Shaw said imitation is not just the sincerest form of flattery, but the sincerest form of learning. Jefferson City locals will be able to learn about classics in art today -- and how they inspire new creations.
Capital Arts' "Choose Your Muse" exhibit opens today at 1203 Missouri Blvd. The exhibit can be viewed during gallery hours: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays.
The gallery allows local artists to put a twist on a piece of famous art, inviting creativity and social critique into something new. Artists are encouraged to choose a famous artist or piece of artwork and create something new from it.
Newly-appointed Capital Arts Executive Director Sarah Scheffer said she's seen both poignant and comedic submissions so far. Artist Linda Jane Bailey put a bovine spin on Leonardo da Vinci with "The Moo Na Lisa" and Fred Schollmeyer added masks to an Edward Hopper-inspired diner scene, called "Nighthawks in the Age of Covid." Some took inspiration from the musical arts: Amy Hernandez Greenbank created portrait of Michael Jackson out of junk food wrappers. The name of the piece is, aptly, "Cheap Thrills."
Scheffer said work that takes inspiration from popular references can draw in the viewer: at first, they recognize something familiar, then lean in to see what has been made new about it.
"A big part is the popularity of famous pieces: It's recognizable," she said. "I think that can connect the viewer. ... It grabs their attention and gives them a starting point where they further look into it and see what the artist did to twist it around."
The opening reception for "Choose Your Muse" is 5-7 p.m. Feb. 24 at Capital Arts. For more information on the gallery, visit capitalarts.org.
(India Garrish/News Tribune) “The Moon Na Lisa,” a piece by Linda Jane Bailey, puts a bovine spin on Leonardo da Vinci’s famous work at Capital Arts’ “Choose Your Muse” exhibit. Opening reception will be 5-7 p.m. Feb. 24 at 1203 Missouri Blvd.