Art Opening

Wilson Hughes gallery

117 Campbell Ave SW 

Roanoke VA 24011

PRESS RELEASE

International Artist Series 

Public Opening October 3, 2014

Wilson Hughes gallery International Artist Series brings artists from around the world to the Roanoke Valley. The 2014 artist is Barbara Jurkovšek who comes from Slovenia, Europe. Jurkovšek, a painter, will give an artist talk on her work at 7PM on October 3, 2014.

Jurkovšek’s project "Albino United Extended" creates hybrid animals as a central motif and has references in contemporary art, pop culture, kitsch and science. The viewer is confronted with the taboo towards death and the appreciation of the body cult. It takes birth and death as a natural process for all living beings. The seemingly innocent and grotesque content, parodies and mocks the spirit of our times. Metaphorically it shows how man struggles for existence, and immortality.

Barbara Jurkovšek was born 1981 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. In 2006 she graduated in painting and art theory from the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Ljubljana, Slovenia. In 2007/08 she studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Lecce in Italy. In 2009 she obtained Master Degree in painting at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Ljubljana. Up to now she has had 26 solo and more than 50 group exhibitions at home and abroad. For her work she received several prizes and awards. She is a recognized member of Union of Slovene Fine Arts Associations, and since 2009 is self-employed in culture. In 2012 she was Artist in residence in London hosted by Ministry of Culture of Republic Slovenia. In 2013 she was an Artist in residence at Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris, France. She works in the field of painting, sculpture, graphics, calligraphy and scientific illustration. She lives and works in, Slovenia, Europe.

Jurkovšek’s visit is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia, and the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Washington, D.C. .