Mark Vallen: More Than a Witness (LA Art Exhibit)

MARK VALLEN: MORE THAN A WITNESS
PAINTINGS, DRAWINGS AND PRINTS
A Shenere Velt Gallery
Now - August 29th, 2004

CLOSING PARTY, THURSDAY AUGUST 26th, 6:30 pm
Painting and Poetry connect at unique art event.

Internationally acclaimed writer, Luis J. Rodriguez, will present a reading of poetry to salute the conclusion of the exhibition, "Mark Vallen: More Than A Witness". The award winning Chicano author will read selected works from his impressive repertoire, as well as talk about the importance of culture in building movements for social change. Rodriguez will also recite the verse of famed poet Pablo Neruda to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the great Chilean writer's birth.

At the A Shenere Velt Gallery on Thursday, August 26th, 6:30 pm, Rodriguez the writer and Vallen the painter will collaborate in offering a powerful evening of socially conscious art.

Luis J. Rodriguez has emerged as one of America's premiere Chicano writers. Known for penning the cautionary autobiography and international bestseller, "Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A.", Rodriguez has also written seven other books of short fiction, as well as nonfiction, children's literature, and poetry. He has won awards and garnered accolades too numerous to mention, but most importantly believes that a writer can help make a difference. The author's enthusiastic activism and mentoring of youth through poetry and art earned him an "Unsung Heroes of Compassion" Award presented by the Dalai Lama.

For additional information on Luis J. Rodriguez: http://www.luisjrodriguez.com

VALLEN'S EXHIBITION
"More than a Witness" explores the secret histories of Los Angeles' recent past. Known as the advocate of a new social realism, Mark Vallen's thought-provoking artworks confront the public with a myriad of political and social issues that have impacted the people and city of L.A. Vallen has a firm commitment to figurative realism, and he has derived inspiration from the rich heritage of artists who have worked as social critics and documentarians. The retrospective could just as easily be called "A Brief History of the 20th Century" as Vallen has translated earthshaking world events through the unique prism of a native L.A. artist.

With paintings, drawings, and prints, Vallen documented the upheavals and social realities that helped to shape the face of L.A. The topics addressed by the artist range from the Vietnam War to the battlefields of Central America, and the resulting waves of immigration these conflicts engendered. Vallen submerged himself in the city's original 1977 punk rock explosion, and created portraits of the fans and musicians involved. The artist's brush railed against apartheid and the Cold War of the 1980's, and captured the Rodney King riots of 1991. This solo exhibition offers a chronology of studio works, pieces created as public art, illustrations produced for books and newspapers, and artworks never before shown.

GALLERY HOURS
Monday - Thursday 10 am - 5 pm
Friday 10 am - 3 pm
Group and guided viewings can be arranged.
The artworks will also be on view during regular events at the Workmen's Circle.

CONTACT
A Shenere Velt Gallery
Eric A. Gordon, PhD
Director
Workmen's Circle/Arberter Ring
Southern California District
1525 South Robertson Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(310) 552-2007 phone
(310) 552-3417 fax
E-mail: itsik [at] circlesocal.org
Web: http://www.circlesocal.org
(national WC/AR): http://www.circle.org

For additional information contact Mark Vallen, at:
Website: http://www.art-for-a-change.com
E-mail: vallen [at] art-for-a-change.com