Exploring Art

Working in partnership with the art and art history department, UTA Libraries is hosting a display at the West Campus Library for the upcoming Visiting Artist Talks. 

The Visiting Artist Talks occur once a semester in the fine arts building, starting with Albanian Roma artist, Sead Kazanxhiu, on Sept. 18. 

The program's mission is to provide educational and cultural opportunities by hosting scholars, artists, and designers from around the globe. 

The display will feature items endorsed by Kazanxhiu, such as books, articles, and other resources that have influenced his work. As part of the display, there is an online LibGuide that people can access to learn more about the artist. The display will be up through the end of September. 

Lilia Kudelia, Visual Resources Curator with the art and art history department, is excited to bring Kazanxhiu to campus and showcase his work.  

"Sead works with sculptures, and video and does performance artwork. A lot of his art is about interacting in public spaces," Kudelia said. "His work shows the practical outcomes of how art can be a vehicle that empowers communities for change and sends a message." 

Kazanxhiu is a multidisciplinary artist and cultural producer using several artistic mediums. These mediums include painting, sculpture, video, performance and public space interventions. His work addresses issues related to politics, activism, prejudice, exclusion and the environment. 

To learn more about one of Kazanxhiu's projects, "The Nest," shown at the Documenta Art exhibition hosted by the German Federal Cultural Foundation in Kassel, Germany, read about it online here. 

Kudelia stated that UTA students would still be able to connect to Kazanxhiu's work in Europe, noting there are "a lot of overlaps between the issues that young artists are trying to solve in Texas." 

Morgan Brickey-Jones, Director of Community Engagement, stated that UTA Libraries is proud to partner with the art and art history department to display and provide these resources to the public that Kazanxhiu endorses. 

She noted that the display will allow people to learn more about Kazanxhiu and the type of art he creates. 

Kazanxhiu will talk about his work and some of his most successful projects during his presentation at UTA. 

His presentation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 18, in room 148 of the Fine Arts Building (502 S. Cooper Street in Arlington). The presentation is free and open to the public to attend. It can also be viewed online at this link or by scanning the QR code found on posters around campus. 

The next Visiting Artist Talk is scheduled for March 2024 with the artist. Gyun Hur, stay tuned for updates in the coming weeks. 

The Visiting Artist Talks display is inside the West Campus Library on the first floor of the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs building (601 W. Nedderman Dr.) in room 104. 

So, before going to the Visiting Artist Talks, stop by the West Campus Library to learn more about Sead Kazanxhiu.  

Also, take some time to explore what the West Campus Library offers in its collections related to art, architecture and music. You might be surprised by what you find.