Exhibition extended by popular demand: Obama-rama in the Art World

Across the nation there is a palpable excitement rippling through the art community. An artist-initiated outpouring has resulted in the simultaneous gallery showings throughout the country of Obama-themed artwork. Projects Gallery in Philadelphia is one such gallery. Although conceived in a vacuum of local artistic energy, their exhibition, entitled “Obama-rama”, appears to be very much in tune with the zeitgeist. Already the subject of several laudatory critical reviews, Projects Gallery has responded to audience demand to extend the exhibition through the end of March.

Frank Hyder, Fifty States of Obama, 100”H x 40”W, ink paint on canvas

Even as the reality of current economic, geopolitical and environmental challenges begin to sink in, this president, unlike any other in history, is a canvas on which is projected the hopes and fears of a nation. Through word of mouth and passing conversations, a wide range of artistic talent and media has enthusiastically embraced the idea of celebrating this historic and “bigger-than-life figure”. Conceived as a truly democratic exhibition, the works were not juried in; if an artist provided a work by the deadline, it went on display. The result is an unusually wide range of works.

Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, Is He Black Enough?, 24”H x 18”, oil on canvas

“Obama-rama” brings together many prominent Philadelphia area artists, as well as others, united in the celebration and critique of our nation’s new commander in chief, including Henry Bermudez, Elizabeth Bisbing, Jim Brossy, Lenny Campello, James Dupree, Allan Edmunds, Roberta Fallon & Libby Rosof, Cheryl Harper, Raymond W. Holman, Jr, Frank Hyder, Tom Judd, Alex Queral, Sarah Roche, Mia Rosenthal, Shelley Spector, Jack Thompson, Ira Upin, and others.

Ira Upin, Hope Not, 36"H x 36"W, oil on panel

“Obama-o-rama” continues through March 28th, 2009 and will feature a First Friday reception March 6th from 6-9 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Wednesday & Thursday 4 - 7 p.m. and Friday & Saturday noon to 7 p.m. A preview of the exhibition is available online at http://www.projectsgallery.com/Shows/Obamarama_PL.html. For more information, please contact Projects Gallery at 267-303-9652 or info@projectsgallery.com