Satellite Exhibition
Heads or Tails: Portraits of American Presidents
July 9 - October 7, 2018
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Anonymous, In Memory of Lincoln, Tabby, Dixie and the Golden Fork, 2018, Mixed media, Image courtesy of the artist
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Craig Pleasants, William Barber II, 47th President, 2018, Oil, acrylic, housepaint, and marker on canvas, image courtesy of the artist
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Eleanor Rufty, JFK: Word and Image, 2018, Charcoal, Image courtesy of the artist
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Hamilton Glass, Citizen?, 2018, Acrylic and enamel on panel, Image courtesy of the artist
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Helene Roberts, Abe, 2016, Bronze, Image courtesy of the artist
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Jeanie Keys, Lyndon Baines Johnson, 2018, Oil on board, Images courtesy of the artist
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Jorge Benitez, William McKinley, 2018, Oil on panel, Image courtesy of the artist
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Lester Van Winkle, Only Signs, 2018, Polychromed wood, Image courtesy of Terry Brown Photography
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Marty Johnson, Great Mass Debate, 1996 - 2018, Acrylic, roof cement, paper, ink, nylon rope, cotton rope, upholstery nails, and canvas, Image courtesy of the artist
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Matt Lively, The Conservationist, 2018, Tar on enamel on panel, Image courtesy of the artist
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Miguel Carter-Fisher, Kaya, 2015, Charcoal and guache on toned paper, Image courtesy of the artist
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Paul DiPasquale, Jefferson, University Years, 2005, Image courtesy of the artist
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Ricardo Ruiz, November 8, 2016, 2018, Oil on canvas, Image courtesy of the artist
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Harrision Moenich, 45, 2018, Mixed media, Image courtesy of the artist
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Ruth Bolduan, Precarious Overhang, Scholar Rock, 2018, Oil on canva, Image courtesy of 1708 Gallery
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Paul DiPasquale, Conflagration, 2017, Raku on canvas, Image courtesy of the artist
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Nick Fagan, Gazer, 2018, Latex on canvas, Image courtesy of the artist
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DF Reed, Great American Con Man, 2018, Mixed media, Image courtesy of 1708 Gallery
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DF Reed, Trump Transparency, 2018, Mixed media, Image courtesy of 1708 Gallery
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DF Reed, Trump Pardons Himself, 2018, Mixed media, Image courtesy of 1708 Gallery
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DF Reed, Republicans give Hypocrisy a Bad Name, 2018, Mixed media, Image courtesy of 1708 Gallery
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Jeanie Keys, Richard Nixon, 2018, Oil on board, Image courtesy of the artist
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Anonymous, Legal Tender: A Work in Progress, 2018, Mixed media, Image courtesy of the artist
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Anonymous, Jimmy Nails It: A Work in Progress, 2018, Mixed media, Image courtesy of the artist
Heads or Tails Artist Reception: Fri, Sept. 7, 6-8 pm
Linden Row Inn, 100 E. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23219
1708 Gallery is pleased to present Heads or Tails: Portraits of American Presidents, inspired by the Barack and Michelle Obama portraits, by Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald respectively.
Since the debut of the Obama portraits, they have faced the scrutiny of art critics, political pundits, pop culture aficionados and the social media masses. The surrounding dialog from people of all walks of life was unexpected and compelling; bringing a renewed interest to the subject of portraiture, its meaning, purpose, and outcome.
The artists in Heads or Tails: Portraits of American Presidents were invited to create a portrait inspired by any American president. Portraiture often captures more than the subject of the portrait alone. It can encompass the hopes, dreams and folly of the era. The rhetoric of portraiture becomes a secondary theme when our constitutional rights are thwarted by fake news and current events influence the studio practice of every artist and citizen today. Perhaps this exhibition can be considered a portrait of America.
Heads or Tails consists of American stories that address both personal and global themes. Participants in this process cross cultures, generations, and points of origin. Regardless of the artist or their chosen subject, portraiture at its best mirrors both the artist and their subject. Artists create the artifacts that inform and sometimes anticipate the future.
An artist statement is included with the title card for each portrait. Please note these words are those of artist and sometimes curator. They are designed to inform your understanding of each portrait but may spark unexpected connections and dialogue. If you were invited to create a portrait of any American President who would you choose?
Amie Oliver
1708 Gallery Board Member and
Liason and Curator of LRI Satellite Exhibitions
An extension of the Heads or Tails: Portraits of American Presidents is on view at 1708 Gallery, only a twelve minute walk through Richmond’s Art District.