Dual Exhibits Explore “The Color of God”

   The Laband Art Gallery at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles presents two simultaneous exhibits exploring “The Color of God,” beginning October 26 and running through November 22.
   “A Mountain of Many Paths” provides objects and graphics from a wide range of global cultural settings. According to exhibit curator, anthropologist, and ethnic art collector Jim Pieper, “The materials on display represent humankind’s desire to communicate with and experience the unknown or supernatural, usually called ‘God.’ The materials are drawn from conscious and meditative visualizations and are frequently layered, supplemented, and blended with imagery and objects that have evolved from thousands of years of cumulative experiences, verbal accounts and written mythologies.”
   Los Angeles artist Christine Morla curated the second exhibit, “Contemporary Expressions of Spirit, Race, and Justice.” Through the visual reflection on and exploration of spirituality, race, and justice, twelve artists broadly address the question of how one perceives the divine realm and engages it through art. The exhibit includes painting, sculpture, installation, video, photography, and interactive art.
   Participating artists include: Lida Abdullah, Kent Anderson Butler, Misty Cervantes, Alex Donis, Alvin P. Gregorio, Lauren Hartman, Curt Lemieux, Hector Oviedo, Sheila Pinkel, Kat Skraba, Cynda Valle, and J. Michael Walker.
   The two shows have been mounted in conjunction with the university’s third annual Bellarmine Forum, a weeklong gathering that engages students and community members on timely issues that affect their communities and communities around the world.
   This year’s forum, “The Color of God: Spirituality, Culture, and Justice,” includes exhibits, lectures, programs and activities that explore the ways in which culture, ethnicity, and race affect humanity’s understanding of God.
   All events are open to the public free of charge.
   The Laband exhibits inaugurate the week of forum programs and events that run through November 1.
   Further information about the forum may be found at: www.bellarmine.lmu.edu.
   For more information regarding the Laband Art Gallery, contact Gordon Fuglie, director, at (310) 338-2880.