Recognizing the age old connection between art and healing, curator and mixed media artist Barbara Russell aka Ms. B the Doodle Queen has collaborated with Harlem business owner Dr. Jeffrey Chow to present her Under the Radar art series. In celebration of Father's Day, a new exhibition opens on Friday June 14, 2013 featuring the work of visual artist Paul Deo and will include an artist-talk from 5-7 p.m.
In this series Deo pays homage to the family legacies of famous fathers including President Barack Obama, Malcolm X, Michael Jackson, Tupac, Biggie Smalls, Lil Wayne, Harry Belafonte, Muhammad Ali, and Ozzie Davis. His work embodies his passion to incorporate Black history lessons into his art as a vehicle for creating problem solving initiatives. Combing mixed media assemblage work and infusing vivid digital paint techniques, he creates a fresh contemporary art style that is his signature.
Held in the lobby of the Physical Therapy of Harlem doctor's offices on West 116th Street, this non-traditional setting serves as an alternative permanent arts space for Under the Radar's monthly exhibitions featuring the work of local artists. In a convergence of art and medicine, patients and visitors can gain a fresh new perspective on life as seen through the lens of varied art techniques including landscape, abstract and mixed media paintings, photography, fiber art, and sculpture, while artists can exchange ideas and philosophies regarding their work and life experiences. The art acts as a subtle healing mechanism to energize the viewer with color filters to help provide rejuvenation for the mind, body, and spirit.
When asked about his ideas on using art as a healing force Deo says, "People love having art in their homes. I feel that having art in an environment where people go to get healed is taking it to the next level. My goal is to tap into the subconscious part of people to have them relax. In my work, it's about trusting the higher spirit. When this happens, art is a meditation. I want to have the vibration of my inspiration enter into the work...to imbue the work with the energy I feel while creating. I open myself to allow the universe flow through and trust what it's bringing me."
Paul Deo began painting at age 5, under the tutelage of his Aunt Auressa Moore who taught him artistic techniques, as well as the spiritual world of internal inspiration. As a young boy, Deo received critical acclaim after winning a city-wide art competition. His creations grew into graphic novels, mixed-media paintings, sculpture, flash animation, and video featured worldwide in galleries, museums, private collections and films. Deo has worked as a conceptual visual designer, producer, and director, on over 80 films, music videos and commercials. They include Malcolm X, AI: Artificial Intelligence, Boomerang, Boyz II Men, On Bended Knee, Footlocker and his own Animation State.
As the popularity of the Under the Radar series grows, people from Harlem and beyond are finding enjoyment and therapeutic benefit from the artistic displays. Dr. Chow, who is also a member of the Harlem Tourism Board says, "I partnered up with Barbara because I believe in the arts. The community has been great to us since we have opened our doors and continues to support us and providing a space for artists to showcase their work is only a fraction of the support the Harlem community has shown to us."
The exhibition is from Friday June 14 through Sunday July 14 2013 and is located in the lobby of Physical Therapy of Harlem at 1400 Fifth Avenue (entrance on W. 116th Street). It is free and open to the public.
For more information contact Barbara Russell at brussell3908@gmail.com. To view her work visit http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/barbara-russell.html and visit www.pauldeo.com to learn more about artist Paul Deo.