BlaxXtraplotationism

4/11/2008 - 5/03/2008

Julius Lyles Presents:
Blakxtraploitationism:
A Visual Social Political Racial Interpretation

Opening Night Reception is Friday April 11th. 2008 from 6pm until 10pm

Cleveland, Ohio, April 11, 2008 ~ May 3, 2008 - The Asterisk Art Gallery proudly presents a group exhibition of new work by emerging and professional artists assembling a compilation of collective unconscious visual arrangements. Ronald Clayton collides raw manipulation and rough treatment applied to found objects used for the purpose to illustrate a political message. Bob Walls elaborate approach to design explores the interior fabric of any environment, which allows the viewer to interpret volume in his pieces. Tracy Amenn Sculptures are Super-extra-blaxulistically Suburb! SHE WILL KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF, TWIST YOUR HEAD AND MAKE YOU RE-EVALUATE YOUR CULTURAL EXISTENCE! With fellow artists Devlin Collier, Tericka Lynnette Henderson, Linda Herman, Richard Karberg, Craig Brent Sullivan, Angelia Thompson and Frank Xavier Weiss these ten artist have tackled social issues dealing from war, stereotypes, politics, slavery, religion, and equal rights through visual documentation and interpretation.

Blakxtraploitationism focuses on the meaning, myth and stereotype of the word (BLACK), apropos of culture, race, politics, war, environment, economics and class. To encourage mental change and viewpoints of disturbing, negative racial identities, false judgments based on a fear based education, as well as, establish free thinking minds towards our ever changing diverse society.

Organized by Curator, Julius Lyles, this exhibition includes over 50 visual representations exploring multicultural perceptions and expressions.

All the participating artists will be at Asterisk Art Gallery for further Discussion, April 11th, 2008 from 6 to 10 pm. Blakxtraploitationism, finally, here is an opportunity to be a part of this sensitive controversial exhibition withs a forum where artists, diverse communities come together and discuss future solutions. Join us as Julius Lyles and Asterisk reveal the boldest body of work, currently on view.

ABOUT JULIUS LYLES

Julius Lyles was born in1964 in Cleveland, Ohio and still lives and works in the Cleveland area. He began studying art at the youthful age of eleven at Cleveland Institute of Art summer workshops. After high school, he studied Graphic Design at Kent State University from 1983 to 1987. In 2002, he studied Photography under the astuteness of Masume Hayashi at Cleveland State University. His work has been featured at numerous galleries in Ohio and has been included in exhibitions in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., New York and Chicago. Over the past five years he has been curating shows with a company of artists that exhibit diverse, challenging, provocative works of visual expressions

Creating works in painting, photography and collaborating with other artist to speak out against the injustices that face our society. Julius Lyles is one of the most innovative artists exhibiting. His artistic strategy is innovative, aggressive, colorful, diverse and complex. His mission is to create a visual voice for change.

For further info log on to www.lylesart.com/blakxtraploitationism.html