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SXU Gallery Presents "The End of the Journey I Found Myself"

Date:11/07/2024
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Saint Xavier University (SXU) will host "The End of the Journey I Found Myself," the work of local Beverly artists Paul Branton and Dwight White, now through December 6.  

The exhibition is a conversation about the journey between two artists who were born a quarter century apart in two different sections of the country. Within their work, the artists, who consider art a personal journey, consider how most spend their entire lives trying to find and perfect their own unique voices and carve out their own spaces, with each stroke, mark and color choice being both intentional and natural.  

"I stumbled upon Paul's work at an exhibition that he curated at the Beverly Arts Center. I had invited several of my painting students to the show and his work --very expressive color and mark-making -- happened to fit perfectly into our recent discussions. My students were able to see in his work what I had been discussing in class and it really drove the point home," said interim gallery director Nathan Peck. "I decided that bringing him to campus could be a very valuable opportunity both for our art students and for the broader campus community."

Despite the differences in age and location, at this point in time, the similarity in the artists' artistic cadence is harmonious. The exhibit highlights the mentorship of artists from two different generations learning from each other and inspiring new work. According to Branton and White, "it is the absence of fear that allows these figurative artists to paint so freely. The abstraction of shape that breathes new life into these all-male portraits draws the viewer deeper into the compositions. It is as if every rule we learned in art is perfectly broken in this small body of work." 

Branton, whose work is about bringing artists together to form a powerful voice for positivity and change, was born in Chicago and influenced at an early age by the sights and sounds of the South Side's urban environment. Branton would write short stories and put on plays with his sister, and his work developed into a passion that would guide his education and career. He majored in commercial art at Millikin University, where he also discovered his love for poetry and painting and worked on short films. Branton's art has been exhibited throughout Illinois at multiple colleges, galleries, and art centers, and he will soon release a coffee table book, "To Dream In Color." Branton's hand-painted bags, prints, paintings and more can be found on his website. 

White, a multidisciplinary artist, was born in Houston, Texas. His work straddles the line between fine art, sociology and experimental design. White is inspired by the ways in which one can capture truth visually to engage and connect with media, and he enjoys taking the viewer beyond just seeing the art to feel it. White, who attended Northwestern University, utilizes insights to inspire, innovate and explore relevant material with culture through creativity. Nuanced Black human behavior and personal experiences are found throughout his work, where he focuses on creating collections and public works to reach the greater community and next generation. White is the creator of the Something I Can Feel annual immersive art experience, which honors and supports Chicago's creative community, prioritizing social connectivity, mental health and wellness. White's original works, prints, merch and more can be found on his website.   

The artists' presentation and reception will be held Wednesday, November 20, at 4 p.m. at the SXU Gallery. The SXU Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, contact the Gallery at 773-298-3081.