Bradbury Art Museum to Host Exhibition by Cuban-American Artist
JONESBORO – "A Notational Guide to the Universe" opens to the public at Bradbury Art Museum on the campus of Arkansas State University, Thursday, June 20 at noon. The exhibition, curated by David S. Rubin, presents 30 paintings from 2015-18 by Cuban-American artist David ‘LEBO’ Le Batard.
LEBO describes his work as postmodern cartoon expressionism, using color and line to tell a story and convey emotion. His playful style references art history, cartoons and comic strips, street art and ancient text to analyze complex concepts. In this way, he presents his visual guide to the universe and challenges viewers to interpret the world around them in a similar way.
Rubin explains, “LEBO considers space and time to be nonlinear and infinite. In his visions of the universe, which he calls the ‘divine matrix,’ cartoon characters coexist with ancient symbols, words and numbers, references from distant cultures harmoniously comingle, and logical distinctions between past, present, or future are obliterated.”
The exhibition, on loan from the collection of the Park West Museum, is organized by Carole Sorell Incorporated, and is presented with generous support from the Park West Foundation.
Over the course of the next two years, LEBO’s exhibition will tour to five art museums throughout the United States. Opening at Bradbury Art Museum, the exhibition will travel to El Museo Latino, Omaha Neb., Freedman Gallery, Albright College, Reading, Pa., Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center, Nashville, Tenn., and The Phillips Museum of Art at Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa.
The exhibition will be on view from June 20 through Sept. 11. BAM summer hours, from June 20 through August 16, are Thursday noon to 7 p.m., Friday noon to 5 p.m., and by appointment.
BAM will be closed July 4 and 5 in observation of Independence Day.
Regular museum hours will return on Tuesday, August 20. BAM hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, noon to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, and by appointment. The museum is closed on Monday and when the university is not in session. The exhibition and the reception are admission-free and open to the public. For additional information, please visit BradburyArtMuseum.org or contact the museum at (870) 972 3687.
About Carole Sorell Incorporated
Carole Sorell is the founder, president and CEO of Carole Sorell Incorporated. Her clients include Fortune 500 companies, museums, arts organizations and foundations. Previously she was assistant commissioner of public affairs, Department of Cultural Affairs, New York City. See more at www.carolesorellinc.com.
David S. Rubin
David S. Rubin is a Los Angeles-based curator, art critic and artist who has been in the contemporary art field for more than 40 years (from 2000-06, he was curator of visual arts at the Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans). His curatorial archives are housed in the Smithsonian Institution's Archives of American Art.
The Park West Foundation
The Park West Foundation was founded in 2006 by Albert and Mitsie Scaglione and is directed by Diane Pandolfi. The foundation’s mission is to support national and international programs for at-risk kids, as well as programs for art education, museums and conservation that positively impact young adults and the environment, and organizations committed to positive values and leadership. For more information please visit www.parkwestgallery.com.
