In the News
![From the New Realm series; Copyright Amy Guidry 2009](http://www.artistcommentary.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/ft-cocoon.jpg "\")
I'm excited to have a birthday coming up, so that means my family will be coming to visit. Plus, I've asked my mom to get several copies of the Sunday paper for me, so she will have those in tow. It's actually last Sunday's edition of the Times Picayune, which is the New Orleans newspaper. So in addition to the birthday excitement, I'm excited to see a tangible copy of the interview I have in the Slidell section of the Times Picayune. Kathleen DesHotel wrote a wonderful article about my work and has many full-color images of my paintings. The b+w images continue on the inside of the paper, but at least I have several in color on the front! The interview couldn't come at a better time since I have a show coming up on the eastern side of the state in Hammond, LA. If you're a "regular" you will already know this, but for those newbies, my show is a solo exhibition of my New Realm series at the Oak Street Gallery. The opening is August 21st from 6-9pm.
I can't wait to see the actual paper in person, and according to my mother, the article seems to be longer than what's featured on the internet. However, you get the gist of it (sans photos...I know, what were they thinking?) online at nola.com- http://www.nola.com/picayunes/t-p/slidellpicayune/index.ssf?/base/news-21/124786059728520.xml&coll=1
As soon as I have a copy, I will be sure to post pictures and the link in my Press section of my website. In the meantime, if you would like to see more of my work, visit http://www.AmyGuidry.com
So What?!?
As you may know by now, I was a selected artist for this year's Art Melt in Baton Rouge. I'm rather familiar with all of the works that were selected for the show, so I found it funny to read that somebody (or everybody?) had an issue with one of the photographs in the show. I came across a press release stating that a photo by Kenneth Wilks was removed from the show because it was a nude. (Mind you there were no restrictions on nudity in the entry form.) So apparently a school group came by to see the exhibit, and that's when Forum 35, the group running the Art Melt, felt the need to remove the photo from the Brunner Gallery (with the gallery's permission, of course).
Now, I can't post the photo myself, not because of nudity, of course, but because I don't want to infringe on any copyrights. But I can post a link from the show so you can see the photo. Well, most of it, since they conveniently snapped it when some lady was standing in the way. Give me a break... Anyway the link is http://www.225batonrouge.com/photos/2009/jul/13/3673/.
I don't see what the big fuss is about. I have no problem seeing nudity in art. It's not porn. Let me say that again. IT'S NOT PORN. There's a big difference between art and porn. For one, the subject matter is handled differently when it's painted or sculpted or even photographed. Sure, some pieces may be overtly sexual, but there's a reason behind it (and by reason, I don't mean so somebody can be aroused) and it's obvious. I dare anyone to flip open a Playboy or Penthouse and tell me that looks the same as the Venus de Milo or Andrew Wyeth's Helga series, for example. There's not even the slightest resemblance.
I really don't see the big deal over a full frontal of a woman. Standing. Doing nothing other than standing. It's a gallery, people. What do you expect to see in a gallery? Even art that doesn't contain nudity may have some of the most controversial content you've ever seen. War, famine, genocide, money, religion, death...the list goes on and on. Hell, I did a painting on gay marriage. (http://www.amyguidry.com/comment06.htm) Nobody tarred and feathered me for that. So is the moral here as long as they're not naked, you can depict whatever you want?
Party Pics
Here are just a few photos from the 2009 Art Melt at the Brunner Gallery in the Shaw Center for the Arts in Baton Rouge, LA. These are actually from the Preview Gala which was held July 9th for the artists and arts patrons. The jurors were in attendance as well, as you can see Dan Cameron speaking in one of the photos. Jurors were Dan Cameron, director of the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans and curator of Prospect 1. Arts Biennial; Ann Connelly, director and owner of Ann Connelly Fine Art in Baton Rouge, LA; and Brian Young, curator of the Academy Art Museum in Easton, MD.
To view the entire photo album, go to http://www.amyguidry.com/slideshow.htm
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- Amy Guidry signing her autograph for a young fan, Stephanie
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- Amy Guidry poses with her painting, “Metamorphosis”
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- Screen from inside the Manship Theatre featuring Art Melt sponsors
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- Juror Dan Cameron speaking about the work chosen for the Art Melt
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- Amy Guidry in the Brunner Gallery, Shaw Center for the Arts
Upcoming Show… More Details
![From the New Realm series. Copyright Amy Guidry 2009](http://www.artistcommentary.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/fairytale01.jpg "\")
For those of you planning on attending a local exhibition of my work (I tried to schedule more local shows this year for a change!), I have one coming up this summer! I will be showing at the Oak Street Gallery in Hammond, Louisiana this August. It will be a solo exhibition and will be up for the entire month. The opening reception will be August 21st, which is in conjunction with "Hot August Night." "Hot August Night" is an annual event featuring wine tasting, art exhibits, live music, shopping and fine dining in Historic Downtown Hammond, LA. So if you are in the area, you can plan on a full itinerary for the evening!
The opening will be held from 6-9pm, while the festival itself is until 10 pm. I will be in attendance at the opening, so feel free to stop by and meet me in person!* There will be many paintings that have never been previously exhibited. All work is from my New Realm series, and will also feature the 5" x 5" series.
And if you won't be able to travel, you can also check out my work online at www.AmyGuidry.com.
*Stalkers need not apply.
One Big Melting Pot of Art
True to form, I have created yet another bad title for my writing... Anyway, for those of you interested in my recent news about my acceptance into this year's Art Melt, here is a complete list of the selected artists. All work will be on display for the Preview Party at the Brunner Gallery in the Shaw Center for the Arts in downtown Baton Rouge, LA on July 9th. The (free) opening reception will be held July 10th from 6:30-10pm! And the artists are:
Susie Blyskal, Michael Aldana, Marianne Antoine, Erin Barker, Patricia "Muffin" Bernstein, Mary Beyt, Craig Black, Brad Michael Bourgoyne, Ralph Bourque (yes, the same guy in my links on the right!), Brandi Braud, Benjamin Bullins, John Michael Byrd, Mallory P Chastant, Wang-Ling Chou, Michelle Conques, Cynthia Courage, Yvette Creel, Jessica Danby, Robin Daning, Shanna D'Antonio, Chris Dennis, William DePauw, Ashton Despot, Dara Engler, Ernie Fournet, Kit French, Mark Galasso, Denise Gallagher, Donna Gamble, Denise Greenwood-Loveless, Kerry Griechen, Amy Guidry (I hear she's good...hahaha), Gerald Haessig, Diane Hanson, Alex Harvie, Jessica Hebert, Stacy Hennessy, Susan Talbot Hoffmann, Meg Holford, Robert Holford, Christopher Holt, David Humphreys, Kathryn Hunter, Aaron Hussey, Warren Irwin, Heather Kelley, Maggie Kleinpeter, Katie Knoeringer, Andy Lemoine, Lory Lockwood, Rebecca Luke-Lirette, Jill Moore, Keith Morris, Lee Ann Moser, Liz Noble, Jared Normand, Bruce Odell, Tiffany Olson, Isoko Onodera, Jonathan Pellitteri, Mary Perrin, Nancy Poirrier, Andrew Pollack, Rebecca Rebouche, Kathy Reeves, Colin Ross, Rich Roth, Nancy Smitherman, Shannon Songe, Tom Stigall, Lacey Stinson, Katie Swetman, Dan Swetman, Jill Thomas, Philip Thompson, Sidonie Villere, Kenneth Wilks, Caroline Youngblood, Alan Zakem
Galleries, Museums,…. Libraries?
![From the New Realm series. Copyright Amy Guidry 2009](http://www.artistcommentary.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/adaptation.jpg "\")
More great news as of late... I will have my work featured in an art book later this year! I was notified recently that my painting, "Adaptation," was selected for a full-page layout in Dimensions of Disclosure. This will be the latest publication by New Art Review and is due out this October. Copies of the book will be sent to galleries and art dealers around the country. "Adaptation" is from my New Realm series and has actually received quite a bit of press, but this will be the first book that it is published in. In addition to my painting, information about my work and contact information will be included.
Yes, I know, not a lot of details. But as soon as I have more information, I will be sure to post it. And I'll post some photos from the book as soon as I have a copy. So in the meantime, check out my website for more images and more information! www.AmyGuidry.com
