Downtown gallery 437CO welcomes new gallery underwriters and partnerships
The Colorado Mesa University Department of Art and Design announced Roommates and Strangers — the first art exhibition in 2019 showcasing the work of artist Jiyoun Lee-Lodge. The exhibition opens Friday, September 6 during a reception held from 5-8pm.
Jiyoun Lee-Lodge’s art addresses how people process and deal with change. This exhibition is drawn primarily from two series: Roommates and Waterman the Stranger. In her Roommates series, which was inspired by the personal experience of moving in with her now-husband, Lee-Lodge began by asking people to describe their roommates in shapes or words. Experiences and impressions were translated into abstract shapes assembled together to capture the multifaceted feelings and experiences that come from sharing personal space with others.
After moving to Salt Lake City, Lee-Lodge began the Waterman the Stranger series to explore her struggles of settling in Utah after living in New York. In these drawings, Lee-Lodge illustrates herself as a wave of
water set against settings that reflect a ‘better life’ in Utah — the strange amorphous figure tries to expand and interact with its setting, never quite fitting in.
437CO also announced new partnerships for the 2019-2020 gallery season. Tacoparty, Carlson Vineyards and Kannah Creek Brewing Company will partner with 437CO as the official eatery, winery and brewery of the gallery. Visitors at the first Friday opening will enjoy complimentary appetizers provided by Tacoparty, wine from Carlson Vineyards and beer from Kannah Creek Brewing Company.
“The new gallery partners will allow 437CO to expand our ability to bring visiting artists like Lee-Lodge to Downtown Grand Junction,” said CMU Professor of Art Meghan Bissonnette, PhD. “The enhanced gallery experience is also good for students by revealing the role of art entrepreneurship and community collaboration in expanding the arts in Grand Junction.”
Free transportation to CMU’s 437CO is available through the Dash shuttle, and proof of ridership will make gallery guest eligible for a promotional prize drawing offered by the CMU Department of Art and Design.
“Anyone who visits 437CO and demonstrates Dash ridership, or shows a receipt from visiting gallery partners, can enter to win monthly prizes offered by CMU student artists,” said Suzie Gardner, art and design department head. “This promotion helps students get exposure for their work while promoting gallery partnership and visibility.”
The CMU art gallery is also sponsored by long time media partners Colorado Public Radio and KAFM Community Radio. Media partners support 437CO through mutually beneficial promotions of local art. The gallery is located at 437 Colorado Avenue in Grand Junction, Colorado. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday 12-5pm. Admission is free. On Friday, September 6 from 5-8pm there will be a public reception to view the exhibit with remarks and a Q & A with the artist and gallery director, scheduled for 6:30pm. For more information, call the Department of Art & Design at 970.248.1833, or visit the website.
About the artist:
Jiyoun Lee-Lodge is a Korean-born, Salt Lake City, Utah-based artist. Selected exhibition venues include Gallery Korea, Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning, Recession Art, Clinton Project, New York; ArtMora, New York, New Jersey and Seoul, South Korea; 437CO Art Gallery, Colorado; Rio Gallery, Urban Arts Gallery, Draw Inc, Utah and more. She curated ‘Hybrid Life Form’ at Franklin St project space. Lee-Lodge is the recipient of UMOCA Artist-in-residence program, Utah (forthcoming), Manhattan Graphics Center Workspace Fellowship, New York; ArtMora Residency Program, New York; Teaching fellowship at Brooklyn College. She received an MFA in Studio Art from Brooklyn College, New York. To learn more about Lee-Lodge’s artwork, visit her website: www.jiyounlee.com and Instagram: @jiyounleelodge