What/Who:

Webster University’s Art Department presents the exhibition “Odavde/ Otuda” (from here/from there). The exhibition will provide an opportunity to engage the St. Louis public in a dialogue addressing the Bosnia-Herzegovina diaspora and will include works by seven contemporary artists born in Bosnia, including representatives of those who emigrated as a result of the Bosnian War (1992-1995).

Participating artists include: Alen Basic, Isak Berbic, Zlatko Cosic, Sejla Kameric, Margareta Kern, Damir Niksic and Nebojsa Seric Shoba.

Parking for this event is available in the Garden Park Garage at 568 Garden Ave. located east of Edgar Road.

In addition to the exhibition, the gallery will sponsor public artist's lectures and publish a limited edition catalogue.

This exhibition was made possible by the Arthur and Helen Baer Charitable Foundation,

With support from the Whitaker Foundation.

Financial assistance for this project has been provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency,

And with support from the Regional Arts Commission.

When:

February 8 - March 14, 2008.
Opening Reception: Friday, February 8, 2008 from 6–8 p.m.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon., Thurs., and Fri. and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tues and Wed., or by appointment

Where:

Cecille R. Hunt Gallery, Visual Arts Studio, Webster University
8342 Big Bend Blvd.

Cost:

Exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.

More Info:

Call 968-7171 or or joness@webster.edu

*****

To date, about 50,000 Bosnians settled in the St. Louis area in the 1990s after the war in the former Yugoslavia It is thought to be the largest population of Bosnians outside of Bosnia. The exhibition brings together work by artists who incorporate issues of individual and group identity, land and politics, the laws of art and war, tradition, belonging and place. An exhibition of this nature is particularly pertinent as a means to examine and emphasize the important contributions made to the broader fabric of St. Louis cultural life by the local Bosnian community. Odavde/Otuda will also aim to not only bridge a gap, but open a door of consideration on an important new community in St. Louis, that of people rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of one of the twentieth century's most brutal conflicts. One way to better serve this community is to understand its culture and religion through the work of these international artists, as the events of the war are undoubtedly now part of the history of the city of St. Louis.