Beauty is Not Always Pretty: Recent Photographs & Prints by Bill Thompson

Details of old railroad cars and the variegated, husk-covered surface of palm trees are the focus of approximately 30 photographs and screen prints included in the exhibition in Beauty is Not Always Pretty: Photographs & Prints by Bill Thompson. For Thompson, who sees his primary journey as an artist as one focused on the subjects found in his everyday surroundings, these objects are metaphors that celebrate purpose and reveal themes of sacrifice and redemption.

“The beauty found in places rarely associated with beauty metaphorically portrays the virtues that enable us to persevere in the face of adversity.”  —Bill Thompson

A catalogue accompanies the exhibition with an introduction by Marcie Inman, Director of Exhibitions & Educational Programs at Irving Arts Center and an essay by Ben Breard, Owner and Director of Afterimage Gallery in Dallas, TX.

RECEPTION:
September 19 from 6-8PM
Please join us on September 19 for a reception celebrating the exhibition, Beauty is Not Always Pretty: Photographs & Prints by Bill Thompson.  The reception will also celebrate the work of Giselle Castro-Brightenburg whose exhibition, De Profundis: Echoes from the Deep is currently on display in the Carpenter Lobby Gallery.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Bill Thompson holds an MA and MFA in Art from the University of Dallas in Irving, TX  and a BA from Texas A&M Corpus Christi, TX.  He is in his 34^th year of teaching and has been an instructor of photography and printmaking at the Ursuline Academy of Dallas since 1997.  He has also taught at the University of North Texas, Northern Arizona University, the University of Dallas, and Dallas College.

His work has been exhibited in 13 solo shows, 4 two-person shows, and 135 invitational and competitive exhibitions on local, national and international levels and can be found in numerous private and public collections.  Bill has also served as a juror for several national competitive exhibitions and as a guest artist for many workshops demonstrating both photography and printmaking.

Gallery Hours: Tues-Sat from noon to 5PM
Irving Arts Center’s galleries are open for viewing free of charge during regular gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5 PM.