Painter Ophrah Shemesh to speak March 29

Tuesday, March 15, 2011, By Erica Blust

Israeli-born, New York-based painter Ophrah Shemesh will present a lecture on Tuesday, March 29, at 6:30 p.m. in Shemin Auditorium in the Dorothea Ilgen Shaffer Art Building. The free, public lecture is sponsored by the painting program as part of the Department of Art’s Visiting Artist Lecture Series in the (VPA). Parking is available for $4 in Booth Garage. Patrons should mention that they are attending the lecture to receive this rate. 

ShemeshShemesh’s fleshy figures are rendered with loose, dry brushstrokes and expressionistically activated by their consistently powerful distortions. Her theme of sexual awakening, which has been explored by Balthus, among other artists, is one that never grows old. She depicts frankly sexual situations without judgment or shame; her images are anything but lurid. In each work she manages to convey a sweet yet unsentimental feeling of innocence. 

For more information about the lecture, contact Stephen Zaima, professor of painting, at (315) 443-9400 or szaima@syr.edu.