Navigation, painting, 50 x 40"

links:
www.joelsmithart.com
www.searsjazzfestival.com
www.wiu.edu/pas

This exhibition presents abstract paintings by Joel Smith, Emeritus Professor of Art at Western Illinois University.  Elements commonly found in jazz music such as improvisation, tonal modulation and counterpoint appear in visual form in Joel Smith’s abstract paintings. Joel Smiths paintings are in the collections of a number of major international museums, such as The Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Tate Museum in London. 

In conjunction with the “Al Sears Jazz Festival,” Joel Smith will present a Gallery Walk discussing his paintings and the various elements of Jazz found in his paintings, with musical interpretations of the examples performed by students in the Jazz Ensemble from the School of Music at Western Illinois University.  Immediately following the gallery walk, the “Al Sears Jazz Festival” opens with a Public Reception with background music provided by the WIU Student Jazz Ensemble.

This project is supported by a Performing Arts Society Academic Support Program Grant.