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A weekly feature on Northland Morning keeping you up to date on Twin Ports art happenings. Airs Mondays at 8:20. Hosted by Annie Dugan of the Duluth Art Institute.

Where's Art? with Annie Dugan: what themes are contemporary artists contemplating?

Jonathan Thunder, “Modern Times,” acrylic on canvas, 2020, 36” x 48”. First place winner, 63d Arrowhead Regional Biennial.
Jonathan Thunder
Jonathan Thunder, “Modern Times,” acrylic on canvas, 2020, 36” x 48”. First place winner, 63d Arrowhead Regional Biennial.

One of the oldest (126 years) and longest-running biennials in the country awards Jonathan Thunder first prize

Don't envy Kayla Aubid. OrJuliane Shibata, for that matter.

As jurors for the 63rd Arrowhead Regional Biennial, Aubid and Shibata were responsible for winnowing 133 entries into 27 works, and from there, to first, second and third places:

1st: Modern Times byJonathan Thunder 

2nd: FORCED/FORCE by Tia Keobounpheng 

3rd: An Iron Wedge byJulie Benda

From In the Presence of Longing: an exploration of the Marathi word ‘उत्कंठा’ through neon lettering in Marathi, video (photo ink, water, light), glass, water, cotton curtain, reflection of glass forms
Roshan Ganu
/
https://www.roshanganu.com/
From In the Presence of Longing: an exploration of the Marathi word ‘उत्कंठा’ through neon lettering in Marathi, video (photo ink, water, light), glass, water, cotton curtain, reflection of glass forms

Also at the Duluth Art Institute,Roshan Ganu's In the Presence of Longing exhibition is up until next month.

fromRoshan Ganu's website:

An exploration of the Marathi word ‘उत्कंठा’ through the visual language. A literal translation would be ‘an impatient longing’ but the Marathi language has approximately 58 words that can translate to a mere ‘longing’ in English with a need to add an adjective like ‘impatient’ before it. In the migratory experience one confronts a multitude of longings of/associated with geographical, cultural, spiritual, domestic nature making the experience a universal one. With the use of transparent, fluid and reflective surfaces along with light and ink, the emotion of
‘उत्कंठा ‘ is translated into an immersive space of contemplation.

Michael Letts, “Albino,” acrylic on canvas, 43” x 37”
Michael Letts
/
Duluth Art Institute
Michael Letts, “Albino,” acrylic on canvas, 43” x 37”

AndMichael Letts' exploration of "rural diners, bars, and northern Midwest crannies," called Closer to the Wild is up through the beginning of the year at the DAI.

"Here, he finds beauty in the workers, hunters, and denizens of the backcountry and examines the mythology of American individualism. Known for independence and self-reliance, Americans now face the impact of an increasingly interconnected reality. Letts reflects on how technology propels society to “live more and more on a screen, through glass, literally flattened.” Mirroring this effect in his monoprint painting technique, Letts layers paint on glass plates before transferring the work onto canvas."

Lisa Johnson has been a broadcast journalist for 41 years ... and a radio announcer for a teensy bit longer.
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