About

Art, Design, and Writing by Raji Purcell

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Updates + Folk Science

Thanks to everyone who made it out to Folk Science on Saturday. It was a lot of fun and I couldn't think of a better way to get my feet wet. To everyone that missed the opening you can still catch a more mild viewing [Click Here For Details]. Some photos are below.
















Also I hope to be getting more photos of my artwork up in the near future. My schedule has been crazy. I still have managed to add some much needed sections to my blog. Including my artist statement, a list of exhibitions, and a current exhibition info page.

Currently Exhibited At:

Folk Science exhibition, The Clothesline, Sarasota, Florida
533 S. Pineapple St.


A collective of very prolific yet relatively unknown up and coming Artists of Sarasota. Following the theme of Folk Science laid out by the show's organizer and creator Greg Ferris.
My work is in the main store front entrance of this very cool screen printing and t-shirt shop.

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Art College of Xiamen University, Simeng District, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China.


As part of the Sarasota Sister Cities Electronic Art Exchange with Manatee Community College, my screen print "I Have Been Asleep" was selected to be digitally reproduced and giclee printed for an exhibition of work by artists in Sarasota.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Bio & Exhibition History

Education

2009-2012 Ringling College of Art and Design


2007-2009 State College of Florida (Formerly Manatee Community College)


Exhibitions / Showings / Awards


2009 The Box Social, Sarasota, Florida [Current]


2009 Folk Science Art & Music Show, The Clothesline, Sarasota, Florida


2009 Art College of Xiamen University, Siming District, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China. As part of Sarasota Sister Cities Electronic Art Exchange with Manatee Community College. [Current]


2009 Selected for Sarasota Sister Cities Electronic Art Exchange with China


2009 Manatee Community College Student Art Show, Bradenton, Florida (1st place in Graphics Awarded)


2008 Manatee Community College Student Art Show, Venice, Florida


2007 Young Artist Showcase, Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, Florida


2006 Young Artist Competition, Charlotte County Fairgrounds, North Port, Florida


2006 Young Artist Showcase, Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, Florida (3rd Place Awarded)


2006 Art Sensation, Fisherman's Village, Punta Gorda, Florida


2006-2007 Gallery Walk, Punta Gorda, Florida (Monthly Showings)

Artist Statement

There is a theory eagerly being discussed within the scientific community about the properties of matter not being solid. That nuclei exit from our existence and return constantly without anyone being sure as to where it goes. This theory of matter being transient and inconstant is something I enjoy exploring in my work.

I use geometric objects contrasted with organic to represent what we commonly perceive as matter. However; I take these geometric objects even further into representing our existence and society on earth as being rigid, and uncomfortable. To me, the organic objects represent theoretical thinking, souls, and existences beyond what is physical, beyond the geometric objects.

The figures in my art not only give the viewer a personal relation to the piece, but are also shifting in and out of existence, and sometimes even transcending the physical.

My work also explores the mind, free thought, and escaping the mind's sometimes oppressive patterns. The brain, a ball of string, and a bird are all symbols for the mind in different states.

Monday, June 8, 2009

(were) Wolves


So today I finished some album (possibly real album) art for my friend's band Turn Thieves. They are a really awesome post rock band based in Gainesville Florida. Let me know what you think.

PS you may be seeing more of this image in other incarnations.