Gesture and Beyond, an exhibition of nearly fifty pieces of contemporary calligraphy created by members of Art of Ink in America Society will be featured in two Connecticut venues. Over thirty works will hang in the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery at the University of Connecticut, Avery Point, Groton, with a reception on Friday, March 14, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. More than a dozen works will hang in the Charles Chu Asian Art Reading Room, Charles E. Shain Library, Connecticut College, New London, with a reception, artists talks and demonstrations on Thursday, April 17, 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. The artworks on view encompass traditional, abstract, and avant-garde pieces, demonstrating the many different forms and innovative techniques available to contemporary ink painters.

“It goes without saying that today gestural calligraphy is considered a ‘high’ art form,” says Amy Winter, Director of the Godwin-Ternbach Museum, Queens College, Queens, NY, where this exhibition originated. “In the modern era, calligraphy has become a highly valued aesthetic practice standing on its own merits apart from any verbal or symbolic meaning, embraced globally, as is evident in the diversity of the participating artists.”

"We are pleased to be cohosting this exhibition with the Von Schlippe Gallery,” says Benjamin Panciera, Ruth Rusch Sheppe '40 Director of Special Collections, Shain Library, Connecticut College. “The Charles Chu Asian Art Reading Room provides a wonderful venue for experiencing contemporary Asian art."
 
Since its founding over fifteen years ago, the Society has exhibited in East Asia, Europe, and North America and has grown to include artists from China, France, Italy, Japan, Korea, Romania, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United States. Julia Pavone, Curator/Director of the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art, says “We are please to exhibit such a strong body of work from a renowned group of international artists. This opportunity allows us to continue our mission of bringing a broader spectrum of art to this region."
 
This year the exhibition also includes five previously undisplayed works of the Society's founder, “Hanong,” pen name of the late Dr. Sun Wuk Kim (1929-2012). A full-color catalogue accompanying the exhibition includes the work of the AIAS members and five invited artists.

On view from March 8 - April 19, 2014

Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art
www.averypointarts.uconn.edu
University of Connecticut, Avery Point
1084 Shennecossett Road, Groton, CT 06340
Reception: Friday, March 14, 6 - 8 p.m.

and

Charles Chu Asian Art Reading Room
Charles E. Shain Library
Connecticut College
www.conncoll.edu
270 Mohegan Avenue
New London, CT 06320
Reception with demonstrations and artists' talks: Thursday, April 17, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.