WILLISTON, N.D. - "Lobotomy," the solo art exhibit by Williston State College's Art Instructor, Lino Azevedo, is now on tour at its first gallery.
The North Dakota Art Gallery Association selected Azevedo in 2017 for a series of solo exhibitions to take place around the state from 2019 to 2020.
Azevedo's 35-piece work is currently on display at the Jamestown Art Center until March 16 and is a commentary on our culture's lack of critical thinking and civil discourse.
"'Lobotomy' is a comment on one of the places I feel society is going," explained Azevedo. "We 'lobotomize' ourselves with a dependence on popular products and unhealthy attachment to social media. Turn off cable TV. Put the smart phone down. Engage. Think. And, by all means, revisit real conversations with fellow citizens. Connect."
The pieces come in various sizes and are mostly portraits done in mixed media. Azevedo had been piecing together this show for approximately 18 months between teaching classes at WSC.
Azevedo's creative process involves taking notes, sketching out ideas, and researching current events. "When I come up with a near finished image to work from, I transfer it onto a larger surface, and begin painting," stated Azevedo. "I usually come up with my own specific subject, but I have done social commentary as a genre for 20 years now. My aim is to use my training as an illustrator and visual communicator to create images that can start meaningful conversations."
Azevedo was born in the 1970's to Portuguese immigrants near San Francisco, California.
He exhibited an early knack for creative expression. His mother, an artist, saw the potential and encouraged him to try his hand with her oils and brushes.
Azevedo graduated in 1997 with his bachelor's degree in art and design from San Jose State University and began teaching drawing and painting to both children and adults. In 2013, he received his MFA in Painting from Winthrop University.
Azevedo has taught at colleges and universities in North Carolina, California, and North Dakota. His work can be found in galleries throughout the United States.
In addition to Jamestown, "Lobotomy" will tour the following locations around North Dakota throughout 2019 and into 2020:
April 1, 2019 to April 30, 2019: Northwest Art Center at Minot State University
September 1, 2019 to September 30, 2019: James Memorial Art Center in Williston Dates changed to June 7 - June 28, 2019
(This exhibit is sponsored by the North Dakota Art Gallery Association with support from the North Dakota Council on the Arts)
October 15, 2019 to November 15, 2019: Taube Museum of Art in Minot
January 1, 2020 to February 15, 2020: Bismarck State College
For more information on "Lobotomy" or art classes at WSC, please contact Lino Azevedo at 701.774.6233 or lino.azevedo@willistonstate.edu.
For more information, please visit www.willistonstate.edu, call 1.888.863.9455, or stop by 1410 University Avenue, Williston, ND.