Deborah Barr-Brayman: Ten Feet Under and Upside Down

Ten fee T un D er an D upsi D e D own

university art Gallery

Department of art

school of the arts

California state university stanislaus

500 copies printed

Deborah barr-brayman: Ten Feet Under and Upside Down

august 22 - october 4, 2013

university art Gallery school of the arts

California state university stanislaus one university Circle Turlock, C a 95382

This exhibition and catalog have been funded by: associated students instructionally related activities, California state university stanislaus

Copyright © 2013 California state university stanislaus all rights reserved. no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the publisher.

Catalog Design: Kristina stamper, school of the arts, California state university stanislaus

Catalog printing: Claremont print, Claremont, C a

isbn: 978-0-9857652-7-9

Cover image: 2013, They Do, They Don’t, oil, mixed media, and resin

Dire CT or’s f orewor D

Deborah barr-brayman: Ten Feet Under and Upside Down, represents a chance to view her wonderful work. as an artist, barr-brayman works with many medias to create outstanding works of art.

barr-brayman is also a devoted teacher of other artists. her teaching at modesto Junior College brought this exhibition to fruition. recently, the university art Gallery’s exhibition of the faculty of merced College and modesto Junior College created a new program of solo exhibitions of our colleagues. barr-brayman is exactly the artist that this program was created to exhibit. her works demonstrate the excellence that Csu stanislaus is looking to exhibit.

i have had the wonderful fortune to work with many of the students who receive an excellent education in the arts from the teaching of modesto Junior College and from barr-brayman in particular. i am very excited to be able to exhibit her work for others to enjoy.

i would like to thank the many colleagues that have been instrumental in presenting this exhibition; Deborah barr-b rayman for the opportunity of exhibiting her exceptional work, Lisa Lodeski, for writing the insightful essay, the school of the arts, California state university, stanislaus for the catalog design and Claremont print and Copy for the printing of this catalog.

Gratitude is also extended to the instructionally related activities program of California state university, stanislaus and the many anonymous donors for the funding of the exhibition and catalog. Their support is greatly appreciated.

Dean De Cocker, Director university art Gallery

California state university, stanislaus

Deborah b arr- b rayman: Teen f ee T u n D er an D u p s i D e Down

f or Ten Feet Under and Upsiide Down, Deborah b arr- b rayman created a series of paintings that serve as an indelible mark left from digging deep into her personal history. w ith an art career spent primarily on giving voice to children’s issues, this time the artist’s conversation is about her past, present, and future and dealing with issues of time, fear, suspension, and transformation with clowns as the voice box.

Deborah b arr- b rayman brings you into her conversation with interesting images, fresh and unusual combinations of mixedmedia, brilliant drawing skill, approachable subjects, and dare i say pretty pictures. a s you step closer to view the work, a delivery occurs in the form of a message, a question, a suggestion, a knowing, a surprise or a feeling of discomfort that may cause you to wonder if she is talking to you. She is. When I first saw this body of work, I felt like I was popped by a jack-in-the box children’s toy and delightfully frightened. These figures look like they are smiling, pointing and creating non-sense for fun, but there is something more sinister about their gaze in play. They are intriguing. i s it the clown looking at you or the person behind the clown’s mask? a re they kidding or only half-kidding? a re they mocking you or standing up to your gaze at them? i t takes a a few minutes to get comfortable with them, and then you can decide. The artist has something to say and the technical ability to say it; two qualities I seek in a work of fine art.

a s in all her work, b arr- b rayman’s process of creative production is part of the message. The multiple layers used to create the paintings are referential to the layers traveled to in her heart and soul to excavate the ideas, form, aesthetic, and messages in a way that is congruent with her catharsis and renewal to create the visual dialog you may identify with in an intimate way.

Lisa Lodeski

June 23, 2013

Lisa Lodeski is an art historian, art appraiser, and private art dealer. She received her M.A., Art History, at San Francisco State University, and has owned Lisa Lodeski Fine Art & Appraisals since 1997.

a r T is T sTaT emen T & b io G raphy

m y new work references old photographs of clowns from 1890 to the 1940’s. a clown can be ridiculous, pathetic, and demonic, even challenging morality. Clowns make parody of seriousness within a given culture, turning the world and how we perceive it ~ upside down. They represent the paradox between hope and tragedy; the known and unknown; vulnerability and victory; laughter and sorrow.

i n his poem The Layers - stanley Kunitz states “ i have walked through many lives, some of them my own, and i am not who i was, though some principle of being abides......” w ithin each clowns expression lies a personal history, an expression of the human condition; now and then. The schematics of children imply any child, any race, past present or future. m y intention in my creative process is to catch attention by creating a visual dialog that the viewer can intimately identify with.

The clowns are drawn on mylar, acting as a reminder that drawing is the foundation of painting, while the resin creates layers where the images are suspended in space. o il paint and silver dust rearrange the old image in a new way, while drips and colored lines, textures and transparencies encourage discovery. a discovery of some principle of being beyond social conventions and the internal barriers that separate us from each other.

- Deborah b arr- b rayman

b orn in w ichita, Kansas, usa on f ebruary 7, 1959, Deborah b arr- b rayman holds a m asters of f ine a rt Degree from the s an Jose state u niversity and a ba from m ills College where she studied with h ung Liu. s he has held exhibitions of her work in the usa ; Colombia, s outh a merica; n airobi, a frica and m oscow, r ussia. s he has won sundry awards for her work, including the a merican b usiness women’s a ssociation n ational a chievement award.

s he won a scholarship to study at The n ational a cademy of a rt and Design to study mural making and has completed murals at the m JC performing a rts Center and Kaiser h ospital to name a few. b arr- b rayman has taught art at Colombia College, m erced College, s an Jose state u niversity, and is a full time p rofessor at m odesto Junior College in California, usa s he teaches b eginning p ainting, a dvanced p ainting, b asic Drawing, a rt a ppreciation and Color and Design.

Deborah has also been the us representative (1997-99) for the b evey-Gate i nternational youth p rogramme, h eal The world, a project based in n airobi, Kenya; us representative (1997-99) for the r ussian based project Children’s Dreams, an international traveling art and concert exhibition; and the officially designated U.S. representative (1996-98) for the organization “ w ings o f The world”, an idea which originated in r ussia that is intended to bring attention and assistance to the needs of children around the world.

b arr- b rayman draws on her interest in anthropology and the worlds spiritual and cultural traditions. h er current work references old photographs from the 1910 - 1940 r ingling b rother’s Circus and clowns from europe 1890 -1940.

Deborah b arr- b rayman

eDuC aTion

2001 naTionaL aC aDemy of DesiGn - new york, ny - mural scholarship/training

1998 masTer of fine arT - painting, san Jose state university, san Jose, C a academic honors

1995 baCC aLaureaTe DeGree - painting, mills College, oakland, C a academic honors

1991 aa DeGree - fine arts, Las positas College, Livermore, C a academic honors

soLo eXhibiTions

2013 Csu stanislaus - Ten feet under and upside Down - Turlock C a aug. 22 - oct. 4, 2013

2013 The barking Dog - beneath the surface - modesto, C a. - april 17 - may 30

2013 peer recovery art project Gallery - beneath the surface - modesto, C a march 1 - 30

2011 modesto Junior College art Gallery - Draw The Line - C a; oct. 2011

2011 The international house - Davis, C a. nov. -Dec

2011 Dayton Visual arts Center; DomesTiC meDiTaTions 2 Dayton, ohio; may 12 - June 17

2009 ywC a student Lounge berkeley C a. -- Jan. feb. march

2007 Lisa Lodeski fine arts aliso Viejo, C a may 19 - June 23

2005 napa Valley College - napa Ca. nov 11 - Dec 14

2005 modesto Junior College - modesto, Ca. march 3 -24

2005 american river College - sacramento Ca. Jan -feb

2004 reed whipple Cultural Center, Las Vegas, nV - oct -nov

2003 merced multicultural Center - merced, Ca. - oct - Dec

2003 stanford university - stanford, Ca. - July - sept

2001 Cafe sumatra - solo exhibition - Twain hart, Ca. oct

2001 Colombia College - solo exhibition - Colombia, Ca. sept

2001 merced College - solo exhibition - merced, Ca. - april -may

2000 benicia public Library, benicia, Ca. -- Jan 11 - feb 14

1999 Centro Colombio americano, medellin, CoLombia, souTh ameriC a- feb. 10 - mar 13

1998 french Cultural Center, nairobi, Kenya afriC a Jan 12 - 23,

1997 Danville fine arts Gallery, front street Danville, Ca Jan 11 - feb. 22,

1996 phoenix Cultural Center, moscow, russia nov. 1 - 26, 1996

1996 Pacific Bell Corporate Offices, San Ramon, Ca. April 1- 30,

1995 beyond The bench, Conference, parcs hotel; oakland, Ca.

muraLs & pubLiC Commissions

2008 Modesto Junior College; Mural site specific, New Auditorium Entry: August

2008 Kaiser Hospital - Murals - site specific for Hospital entry: June 2008

2006 modesto Junior College - fireside Lounge mural - 8h’ x 16’ w

2004 Lake Don pedro elementary school - mural - 8’h x 40’ w

2003 Colombia College - automotive mural - Colombia, C a

2001 public art mural Community bus station - planada, C a

2000 sobrato family Living Center - 10” x 15” mural with homeless children

1998 1999, san Jose arts Council & The san Jose university foundation - collaboration -

1998 1999, san ramon marketplace - art in public places - Central attractions -

1999 san Leandro Ca. - mural 20’ x 40’ collaboration with youth - probation - Juvenile hall

Two - four person eXhibiTions

2013 building imagination Center -modesto art museum modesto, C a march 30, - may 30

2007 Irvine Fine Art Center; Irvine, Ca July 29 - Sept. 8 Site specific installation

2006 exploding head Gallery 924 12th street, sacramento, Ca. nov-Dec

2006 benchmark mortgage Company santa ana, Ca; may 17 - July 10

2005 artists resource Group - Corona del mar, Ca - sept - nov

2001 national academy of Design - new york, ny - sept

2001 maTriX Gallery - four person exhibit - sacramento, Ca. - nov

2001 sinclair College - Three person exhibition - Dayton, ohio - mar -april

2000 somarTs - Three person exhibition - san francisco, Ca. - mar 7 - 25

2000 bridge Center Gallery, three person exhibit - el paso Texas - feb 24 -mar 31

1998 inTroDuCTions 98 Jernigan wicker fine arts; san francisco, Ca July 9 - aug. 5

1995 Pacific Bell Corporation, Corporate Offices; San Ramon, Ca. July 1 - Aug 18

Group eXhibiTions

2012 Csu stanislaus, Turlock, C a ~ full time faculty exhibition ~ mJC and merced College - march 8 - april 6

2011 2012 - flow arts space ~ a show of Light - minneapolis, minnesota Jan 5 - 14, 2010 -

2011 faculty exhibit modesto Junior College art Gallery sept. 13 - october 7

2010 CC aa mistlin Gallery - modesto Ca may 8 - June 24

2009 art faculty exhibition - modesto Junior College - modesto, Ca. sept. 9 -- sept. 24, 2009

2009 Group exhibition - hollingsworth Gallery - aLChemy: obJeCT TransformeD. palm Coast, florida

2008 Chico art Center - all media 08 - a national juried exhibition -- Chico, Ca

2006 modesto Junior College faculty exhibition - modesto, Ca. october 1 - 23

2003 pretty Lies, Dirty Truths bC space, Jan 24 - april 31, Laguna beach, Ca

2002 sJsu faculty and alumni; Computer Curriculum Corporation; nov. 1 ‘98 - nov. 2002

2001 merced College faculty exhibition - august

2000 Colombia College faculty exhibition - aug 13 - sept 13,

1999 san Jose state multicultural Center, risinG a multimedia exhibition - Dec 1999

1999 Danville fine arts, world View ethnic Diversity - oct 4 - nov 3 1999

1999 heritage bank, san Jose Ca. - sJsu faculty and alumni - may 6th - July 6, 1999

1999 Center for the Visual art, oakland, Ca.; five perspectives on the Global Child; mar 4-27

1998 applied Global university - sJsu faculty and alumni - July 15 1998 - feb 15, 1999

1998 The Center for Visual art, “The light and the altar” juror: enrique Chagoya may 3 -June 7 1998

1997 California museum of art, Ca. smaLL worKs oct 15 - Dec. 21, Juror: Catherine Clark

1997 Woman Made Gallery MAKING WAVES Oct. 3 - 24 Chicago Ill. Juror: Pearl Hirshfield

1997 C aL eXpo ... California works, Juried; state fair aug 16, - sept 2,

1997 south bay women’s Caucus, Lynn house Gallery; antioch, Ca. Juror: Lisa Lodeski

1997 napa Valley College Gallery, bay area arT, Jurors: rene de rosa, John hannaford

1997 Gallery on The rim, whispers, 333 3rd st. sf. Ca. april 2, - may 3, Juror eileen bakker

1996 Lynn house Gallery, antioch, Ca sept. 12 - oct, 24, Juror, Lisa Lodeski

1996 C aL eXpo .. Juried; state fair “no evil” aug 16, - sept 2, Juror; mike henderson

1996 “i Know why The C aGeD birD sinGs, Galaria Tonantzin san Juan bautista, Ca. may 23 - June 29 1996

1996 whispers, Gallery on The rim, s f., C a april 2 - 25 333 3rd st “Target The Question”

1995 Center for the Visual arts, oakland; aug 6th - sept. 12th

1995 “The women’s show”, July 15 - aug 26 Danville fine arts Gallery 233 front st, Danville, C a

TeaChinG eXperienCe

full time professor - modesto Junior College - hire date 8/2004

2003 - 04 - instructor - modesto Junior College

1999 - 03 - instructor - Colombia College

2001 - 04 - instructor - merced College

1996 - 01 - instructor - san Jose state university awarDs

1997 american business women’s association national achievement award

1995 Liquitex - international excellence in art award

1995 national Council of family relations; Coral Gables, florida (feminism and family studies)

bibLioGraphy

2009 KonK am - radio interview arT TeCh TaLK 7/10/04

2008 modesto bee - special edition - Kaiser hospital

2007 The pirate’s Log; Deborah barr: professor, artist, humanitarian; by Leo Daddario

2004 modesto bee - portrait of the artist as a young woman - by Lisa millegan 11/03/04

2003 merced sunstar - merced multicultural Center presents paintings by Deborah barr 9/27/03

2001 union Democrat - artist seeks Justice through imagery; Jim Leitzell 9/27/01

2001 merced sunstar - paintings by Deborah Dague 4/2001

2000 solono Times, artist Draws The Viewer into her paintings; Cathy Jacobson 1/20/00

2000 benicia herald, artist/activist exhibit heading to the holy Land; richard solono 1/12/00

1999 oakland Tribune, Vibrant mural helps Teens express hopes and fears; Jeanie wakeland 6/13

1999 sbawC a newsletter; “five perspectives of the Global Child” san Jose, Ca.; ruth eckard 4/99

1999 medellin Times - “activist painter focuses on Children” medellin, Colombia 2/16/99

1999 radio interview “heartist activist works for Children’s rights” medellin, Colombia

1999 Television interview -”heartist activist” medellin, Colombia 2/13/99

1999 Tri - Valley herald “activist painter uses art to inspire action” by monique beeler 1/3/99

1998 Daily nation, nairobi, africa “international Children’s artist” by Tim Gitau 1/22/98

1998 focus; nairobi, africa “from usa with the Lost innocence” by Kabukuru Gichuki 1/18/98

1998 Daily nation nairobi, africa edition “standing up for Children’s rights” by Tim Gitau 1/15/98

1998 Tri -Valley herald “The world is her Canvas” by monique beeler 1/5/98

1997 san ramon Valley Times “artist bound for Kenya with focus on Children” by monica Lander

1997 san ramon V T “artist focuses her work on Threatened innocence” by Linda Davis 1/10/97

1997 san ramon V T “artists work Draws on Grim Children’s issues” by Carol e robinson 1/6/97

1997 Diablo magazine “banned art - wake up and smell the Violence” by Lisa Trottier:

1996 nightclub news moscow “Californian artist/activist Calls attention To Children’s “small world” 11/14/96

1996 business Daily in moscow “artist represents brutality To awaken Compassion”

1996 moscow Times -- happenings and exhibits at The phoenix Gallery

1996 Tri -Valley herald editorial “art should raise issues” 11/21/96

1996 Tri -Valley herald “artists message is Tough To Take” by Doug Campbell 10/24/96

1996 The Ledger Dispatch antioch “piece de resistance” by Lauria orella 5/16/96

1995 san ramon Valley Times “Danville exhibit of women’s work” 8/14/95

1995 Valley Times “social studies” by David Goll 6/13/95

1994 Tri -Valley herald “artist Targets Teens, family” by emily bazelon 4/5/94

worKs in The CoLLeCTion of:

mr. & mrs Carone, modesto Ca

ailish brennan - Calgary, Canada

Kaiser hospital; modesto, Ca.

modesto Junior College; modesto, Ca

Kris pitts - sacramento Ca.

melissa wackerman, santa ana, Ca

Jeannie Diradoorian, santa ana, Ca

Catherine Konop, santa ana, Ca

Craig ratcliffe, santa ana, Ca brett floyd, Tustin, Ca

arT reLaTeD eXperienCe

paula Davidson, Discovery bay, Ca Dr. Jonathan weidenbaum, san ramon, Ca mike and Lisa archuletta, warwick, new york raymond ashley, san Jose, Ca

Lisa Lodeski, san ramon, Ca

sharon Krause, Danville, Ca steven Tome nyang’ate, nairobi, Kenya margaret safari, nairobi , Kenya mapp Coalition, oakland, Ca Dori sassin, san ramon, Ca

1997 through 2001 - i was the us representative for the bevey-Gate international youth programme heal The world, project based in nairobi, Kenya. heal The world, is a programme which focuses on creating and promoting awareness on issues surrounding our environment, wildlife, and the lives of street children in contemporary african societies.

1997 -05 i was the us representative for the russian based project Children’s Dreams, an international traveling art and concert exhibition. Children’s Dreams is a charitable international project to support gifted, orphaned, disabled and homeless children in both russia and america.

1996 thorugh 1999 - I was the officially designated U.S. representative for the organization “Wings Of The World”, an idea which originated in russia that is intended to bring attention and assistance to the needs of children around the world. This project involves the transformation of a military plane through the application of children’s art, changing it from an image of military might to a manifestation of world unity and peace through the power of children’s dreams it will focus on the need to guard and protect the world’s children, and to defend their mental and physical health through positive action.

aCK now L e DG emen T s

California state university stanislaus

Dr. Joseph f. sheley, president

Dr. James T. strong, provost/Vice president of academic affairs

Dr. James a. Tuedio, Dean, College of the arts, humanities and social sciences

Department of art

Dr. roxanne robbin, Chair, professor

Dean De Cocker, professor

Jessica Gomula, associate professor

David olivant, professor

Gordon senior, professor

richard savini, professor

Dr. staci scheiwiller, assistant professor

Jon Kithcart, equipment Technician ii

meg broderick, administrative support assistant ii university art Gallery

Dean De Cocker, Director