Renowned Artist, Robert Dilworth, to Exhibit

“Memories of Inhabited Spaces”

at the Hayti Heritage Center, September 30 – November 28, 2016

Durham, NC. – The Durham Jazz Renaissance Foundation in collaboration with St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation/Hayti Heritage Center and partially funded by the NC Humanities Council, will host the works of renowned artist Robert Dilworth in the Lyda Moore Merrick Gallery September 30 – November 28, 2016. The exhibit entitled “Memories of Inhabited Places” will open to the public with a reception, music by Master Trax, and a gallery talk by Mr. Dilworth on Friday, September 30^th from 6pm – 8 pm. The public is invited to attend, and hear from the artist about his work, including his interest in “sewing circles.”

Nationally recognized and exhibited, Robert Dilworth has won awards, grants and fellowships too numerous to mention in a career spanning 40 years. Working full-time as an artist, Bob is also a Professor of Art in Painting, Drawing, and Design in the Department of Art & Art History at the University of Rhode Island and Director of the URI Main Art Gallery. His large-scale, mixed media paintings reflect both his technical expertise and his interest in experimental processes.

“The physical process of painting – its vitality – is integral to my work, says Bob. My work has transitioned from emotionally charged abstract imagery painted on non-traditional surfaces to figurative paintings on canvas with mixed-media. My work gives visual expression to my experiences growing up in the South in a large family rich in lively personas. The work explores in a unique manner memory, myths, folktales and spiritual beliefs.”

“My current work evolves from a two-year + exploration developing surfaces incorporating mixed media including stencils, stitching, fabric, glue which are integral to the painting. This work in progress moves my contemporary paintings into a new phase of creativity. I am interested in metaphorically depicting life-size figures in various emotional and psychological states and invite the viewer to contemplate its meaning.”