ET contemporary art on exhibit at KMA

This abstract scene by Knoxville artist David Wolff is part of the exhibit “Contemporary Focus” opening this week at the Knoxville Museum of Art.

Knoxville artist Patricia Tinajero created this sculpture called “Where Miracles Happen” using fabric, steel rods, videotape and video projection. It is part of the new Knoxville Museum of Art exhibit “Contemporary Focus.”

The Knoxville Museum of Art is opening "Contemporary Focus," an annual exhibit of contemporary art by emerging artists.

The first exhibit shows the work of East Tennessee artists Hunt Clark, Patricia Tinajero and David Wolff, and opens 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, with a free reception that is open to the public. The exhibit continues at the World's Fair Park museum through Nov. 8.

Clark is best known for his organic and intricately curved shapes that he carves from large wooden blocks or constructs from inflatable structures. He focused on painting and sculpture when he studied art at the University of Tennessee.

Born in Ecuador, Tinajero is an assistant professor in UT's sculpture department. Her creations often question cultural identity and social practice, according to the KMA. She has built a large sculpture in the museum's south garden as part of Contemporary Focus.

Wolff is a 1991 UT graduate who runs the Fluorescent Gallery in downtown Knoxville. His paintings have a delicate touch and are inspired by Renaissance and medieval art, according to the museum.

"Contemporary Focus" aims to recognize, support and document the development of area contemporary art. The museum plans to feature work done by emerging artists who work in new and experimental ways.

Museum Executive Director David Butler said "Contemporary Focus" connects with the KMA's permanent exhibit "Higher Ground: A Century of the Visual Arts in East Tennessee" to show the story of East Tennessee's art and artists.

"The story told by 'Higher Ground' ... is by definition an open-ended one. 'Contemporary Focus' vividly brings that story up to the present by presenting a sampling of important local and regional artists who are engaged in serious dialogue with the wider world of contemporary art," Butler said. "We want people to know what's happening culturally in their own backyard and give them the opportunity to interact with some very innovative, trailblazing artists."

Butler said the first exhibit was funded by Tennessee Arts Commission seed money distributed through the Arts and Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville and by sponsorship of museum patrons Jennifer and Greg Dunn.

The museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.

Amy McRary may be reached at 865-342-6437.

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