Rockford artist Valerie Olafson revisits the theme of beauty and aging in a photography exhibition opening Friday, April 16th in the Kortman Gallery. The exhibition of striking black and white images titled “50 Parts, MMX” is a photographic essay that expands on the ideas of “mMMm Beauty,” a previous Kortman Gallery show that was presented in 2000 when Olafson was 40.
“In that exhibit, I sought to produce my vision of beauty for the new millennium..life, experience and knowledge,” said Olafson. “My friends stepped in front of the camera to help visually make my point.”
At 50, Olafson expected to revisit and expand the ideas in “mMMm Beauty.’’ “What evolved was an introspective look at me and the beauty I find in myself,” she writes. “I have included some images of friends again; the definition would have been too narrow otherwise. Aging is not always perfect, but is always beautiful.”
Olafson, who has been artist/photographer for almost two decades, is an adjunct instructor of art at Rock Valley College.
The Spring ArtScene openings for “50 Parts, MMX” exhibit are April 16th from 5:00pm to 9:00pm and Saturday, April 17th from 3:00pm to 9:00pm in the Kortman Gallery, upstairs at J.R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street, Downtown Rockford. The exhibit runs through May 31st. and admission is free and open to the public. For more in formation call 815/968-0123 or visit www. jrkortman.com.
What: “50 Parts, MMX” exhibition of photography by Valerie Olafson
Where: Kortman Gallery, upstairs at J.R.Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main, Downtown Rockford
When: Opening Spring ArtScene receptions, Friday, April 16th, 5:00pm-9:00pm and Saturday, April 17th, from 3:00pm to 9:00pm. Gallery open Monday–Saturday, 10am–6pm. Exhibition runs through May 31, 2010. Free admission.
Information: 815-968-0123 or www.jrkortman.com
To see images of Valerie Olafson's "50 Parts, MMX" photography exhibit click on "Current Show" under Kortman Gallery to the left of the screen.
