Exhibition Press Release:
The McClure Gallery is pleased to present a solo exhibition by Montreal visual artist, Juliana España Keller. The exhibition includes both a video installation and photographic light boxes.
In the large gallery: culebra: eye of the needle, a digital video projection immerses the viewer into the physical world of the tattooed woman. Keller suggests that the tattoo has transformed in concept from a mark of patriotism or rebellion to a more potent symbol of self-exploration, social status and self-empowerment.
In the small gallery: woman willing to defend her hotel displays one large sculptural light box and two smaller mounted light boxes illuminating photographic images of the artist during a performance in Mexico city in 2003. The performance concentrates on the points of friction between public and private realms.
Artist’s talk: The public is invited to a slide presentation by the artist on Thursday, June 10th at 7:30 pm. Keller will discuss her work in installation, performance, video and photography, in the context of representation, identity and a reconsideration of traditional portraiture and masquerade.
Born in England, Juliana España Keller lives and works in Montreal. She received a BFA in painting and drawing (2000), and an MFA in sculpture from Concordia University (2003). In 2003, Keller presented a solo exhibition at Art Mûr Gallery and participated in Voila Québec, a Mexico-Canada exchange, in Mexico city. In the same year she participated in a residency at the Atlantic Centre for the Arts in Florida and presented a video work at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia. Keller has also curated exhibitions in Montreal including The Transpecies Collective in 2003.
More information can be found on her website: JULIANAESPANAKELLER.COM