Spring Break
Jazz exhibit showcases canvas paintings, photographs of performances
Robert Preliasco
Issue date: 3/7/07 Section: Campus
- Page 1 of 1
03/07/07 - Famous jazz musicians will be featured in the University of Rhode Island Library Gallery this month - portraits of them, that is.
A dozen photographs by Boston artist Kevin T. Cox are on display as part of an exhibit called All That's Jazz.
Also featured is a jazz-themed work of acrylics, oil and spray paint on canvas entitled "Captured by the Music," by Daniel Kelley.
Cox's photographs are part of what he called an ongoing project to photograph jazz artists at their performances at clubs and festivals, which he has been doing since the mid-1990s.
"For me it's a real labor of love. It's been a real privilege to photograph these artists at work," Cox said.
Cox's photos at URI are some of what he considers his best work from his much larger portfolio.
"Those are some of my favorite images and favorite artists," he said. "There is a powerful memory attached to each one."
Some of the portraits go beyond a traditional photograph and look more like paintings, featuring indistinct edges and a somewhat blurred image.
These were created through a process called hand-coated emulsion, in which an image is painted on special paper in a photographic darkroom. Cox said this technique gives the portraits a more "jazzy" feel.
"[Emulsion] is a more creative process, almost akin to painting," Cox said. "Each one is completely unique. I really enjoy the results."
The exhibit also features a 48-by-48 inch piece by Kelley, which shows a jazz trumpet player.
Kelley described his work as "trying to capture that feel of being in a smoky bar, when you get captured by the music."
Kelley said he was inspired to create this piece while his Providence art gallery, called the Gallery at 17 Peck, was hosting an exhibit of Cox's photographs.
"I really appreciate the folks at 17 Peck in terms of supporting my work," Cox said.
More photographs by Kevin Cox are available on his Web site, www.portraitsofjazz.com.
Cox and Kelley's work will be on display in the library gallery this month.
All That's Jazz is open to the public for free during regular library hours.
A dozen photographs by Boston artist Kevin T. Cox are on display as part of an exhibit called All That's Jazz.
Also featured is a jazz-themed work of acrylics, oil and spray paint on canvas entitled "Captured by the Music," by Daniel Kelley.
Cox's photographs are part of what he called an ongoing project to photograph jazz artists at their performances at clubs and festivals, which he has been doing since the mid-1990s.
"For me it's a real labor of love. It's been a real privilege to photograph these artists at work," Cox said.
Cox's photos at URI are some of what he considers his best work from his much larger portfolio.
"Those are some of my favorite images and favorite artists," he said. "There is a powerful memory attached to each one."
Some of the portraits go beyond a traditional photograph and look more like paintings, featuring indistinct edges and a somewhat blurred image.
These were created through a process called hand-coated emulsion, in which an image is painted on special paper in a photographic darkroom. Cox said this technique gives the portraits a more "jazzy" feel.
"[Emulsion] is a more creative process, almost akin to painting," Cox said. "Each one is completely unique. I really enjoy the results."
The exhibit also features a 48-by-48 inch piece by Kelley, which shows a jazz trumpet player.
Kelley described his work as "trying to capture that feel of being in a smoky bar, when you get captured by the music."
Kelley said he was inspired to create this piece while his Providence art gallery, called the Gallery at 17 Peck, was hosting an exhibit of Cox's photographs.
"I really appreciate the folks at 17 Peck in terms of supporting my work," Cox said.
More photographs by Kevin Cox are available on his Web site, www.portraitsofjazz.com.
Cox and Kelley's work will be on display in the library gallery this month.
All That's Jazz is open to the public for free during regular library hours.
