Visual Art Exhibition by Peter Xiao and Ioan Marcu
On exhibit from May 5 through June 18, will be “iNundaATIONs,” paintings by Peter Xiao and “Immigrants,” mixed media sculptures by Ioan Marcu. (Notice the word NATION in inundation.)
Peter Xiao presents a mixed body of work “iNundATIONs” completed through the year of the pandemic. It comments on global and national realities through art historical parody, satire, and direct observation. He has been experimenting with painting on unstretched canvas and other surfaces and has moved beyond the rectangular confinement of traditional painting by extending some of his paintings onto the floor. Other paintings lay directly on the floor, to be viewed from above.
Ioan Marcu presents a group of sculptural pieces called “Immigrants.” Some of these pieces hang on the wall and others stand freely in the gallery. Marcu feels that he speaks for immigrants through his art, since he is an immigrant from Romania. He lives by the motto that Immigrants may find it a challenge to express themselves in English, but art is a universal language. He uses real shoes in his artwork to symbolize the idea that the people have moved around the world. Marcu has woven oversized “hats” and figures from wildly colorful fibers to represent the diversity of people who have made the United States home.
An in-person reception will be held at Quad City Arts on May 21st from 7-9 pm. The artists will talk about their work beginning at 7:30. Masks will be required in the gallery. Snacks and beverages will be available to enjoy in Arts Alley.
All of Peter Xios’s and Ioan Marcu’s artwork can be viewed and purchased online at https://www.quadcityarts.com/rock-island-gallery.html
Quad City Arts is a nonprofit local arts agency dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the Quad City region through the arts. Support for art exhibitions is provided by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Quad City Arts Gallery is located at 1715 Second Avenue in the Arts and Entertainment District of Rock Island. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m.–5 p.m. For more information, contact Dawn Wohlford-Metallo 309-793-1213 X108, or by email at [email protected].