Foundation awards $1,000 top art prize in juried exhibition
The Foundation's $1,000 grand prize went to local artist, Holly Gaboriault, for her painting Set in the West. The Pawtucket Arts Collaborative $250 prize was awarded to Ruth A. LaGue. The event was attended by more than 150 guests, a record for an Arts Collaborative Exhibition. Following the awards presentation, guests were treated to a provocative lecture by Tony Estrella, Artistic Director at the Gamm Theatre.
Grant prize winning artist Holly Gaboriault described her work as follows: "I have created studies of African masks and textiles in my work because I have found inspiration in their colors and patterns as tools for storytelling. I began to see trends in fashion emerging from African and Western designers alike using these fabrics for Haute Couture and wondered how it came to be. Was it the exoticism, the new style trend or just beautiful design? African textiles hold symbolic meanings for spirituality and identity that perhaps these designers may or may not know, even if they have a solid appreciation for the aesthetic quality of African designs. Considering if these fabrics have become commodity in the West or still resonate with their traditions, I created a series of portraitures which question the wearer as observing cultural tradition or simply fashion trends. Their strong silhouettes still capture the bold expression of pride that I see when looking at African textiles."
For more information, and a link to a listing of all of the exhibiting artists, visit the Pawtucket Arts Collaborative website.