August 25, 2006

Exhibition: Wenda Gu Reflections

Opening September 15th and being held through November 3rd Wayne State University\'s Elaine L. Jacob gallery will present the exhibition Reflections by renowned contemporary Chinese artist Wenda Gu. A public lecture by Gu will take place on September 20th in the Bernath Auditorium, Undergraduate Library at 7pm.

Through hair blending and other body-based works Wenda Gu creates a union of race and culture by mixing Eastern and Western languages and hair to represent his optimistic vision of a global society with out boarders. A fusion of historical and contemporary styles is used in the development of digital media installations and large-scale hair sculptures that portray the results of a cross culture exchange where science is being used as a substitute for the traditional reproduction process. The Elaine L. Jacob Gallery is pleased to exhibit Reflections, which serves as a sampling of Gu\'s career.

From Gu\'s New York studio "Ink Alchemy" and "Hair Alchemy" are earlier conceptual altar like installation pieces melding historical and contemporary Eastern and Western languages and lettering. From this same time period "Hair Bricks", donated hair from around the world mixes together to illustrate the inevitable mixture of race and culture that will be the product of what Wenda Gu calls "transculturalism". Gu often uses materials perceived to be taboo by cultural standards. For example, "Placenta Jars" a set of four jars encloses normal, abnormal, aborted and still born human placenta in powder form sealed with beeswax. Elements of all four of these complex and fascinating works are brought together in Reflections.

Also on display will be one of Gu\'s well recognized "Hair Installations", which promises to be a memorable piece. While the level II of the gallery will showcase a digital and ink drawing installation entitled "Year of the" a whimsical take on the traditional Chinese zodiac.

Opening reception will be held in the Elaine L Jacob gallery Friday, September 15th 5-8pm.

DATES: September 15 - November 3, 2006
OPENING: Friday - September, 15 - 8p.m.
HOURS: Tuesday to Thursday 10 a.m. - 6p.m. Friday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
CONTACT: Kyle Kralapp or Stephany Sowards (313) 577-2423