Current Exhibition

Our sixth Art Competition “Portrait” started in March 2024 and concluded on April 18, 2024. Art Room Gallery received entries from many countries around the world: USA, Hungary, South Africa, Canada, China, Austria, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Slovenia, Taiwan and Mexico. The Portrait theme in this competition included a diversity in types, styles and mediums (oil on canvas, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, graphite, paper collage,ink, digital art, photography). The following evaluation criteria has been used for judging the artwork: creativity, interpretation of the theme, originality and quality of art, overall design, demonstration of artistic ability, and usage of medium. Jury decided to select 68 artworks for inclusion in the exhibition. Aside from First, Second, and Third place Jury also presented Merit awards and Honorable Mention awards.

Thank you, and enjoy the exhibition!

Statement:

Derek Wilkinson grew up in the Pacific Northwest and received a BFA in painting from Washington State University, in Pullman, Washington. He continued his studies in painting and drawing at Arizona State University, in Tempe, Arizona, where he received an MFA in 2006. Derek currently resides in Emporia, Kansas with his wife and daughter, and has been teaching painting and drawing at Emporia State University since 2009. Wilkinson’s figurative paintings and drawings have been included in over one hundred group exhibitions across the United States. He has had recent solo exhibitions at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas, Emporia Arts Center in Emporia, Kansas, Manifest Gallery in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Wilkinson’s artwork is unified in his pursuit to describe the human condition in a beautiful manner. Beauty inspires, motivates, and ultimately provides hope. Portraiture, whether it is self-portraits, or portraits of others, allows Wilkinson to analyze a wide range of expressions and mannerisms, which reveal playfulness, discomfort, satisfaction, melancholy, and fundamental human states. It is Wilkinson’s goal that recognizing these common emotions allows the viewer to feel connected to the subject and other humans, while better understanding themselves.

Statement:

Xiaodong "Eric" Li, a native of Shanghai, China, discovered his passion for drawing and painting early in life. During high school, he held the dual roles of art director and illustrator for the school newspaper, showcasing his artistic talent. Mr. Li earned a bachelor's degree in International Politics with a minor in Fine Art at Fudan University in China. Subsequently, he earned a master's degree in Information Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Transitioning into a career in IT, Eric seamlessly integrated his artistic and design talents as a web designer and developer. Residing in Houston, Texas, Eric Li has achieved acclaim both nationally and internationally. His oil painting, "Oriental Charm," graced the International Contemporary Art Fair at the Carrousel du Louvre of the Grand Louvre in Paris, as well as the 1st Budapest International Art Show in Budapest, Hungary. A proud member of esteemed organizations such as Oil Painters of America (OPA), Portrait Society of America (PSA), and the National Oil and Acrylic Painters' Society (NOAPS), his artwork has been featured in regional, national, and international juried and non-juried exhibitions, with many pieces finding homes in private collections. With extensive tutoring experience, Mr. Li has guided his students to success in various art contests, earning accolades such as gold medals, first prizes, and even selling artwork in prominent competitions.

Statement:

Cobi Deppen is a 21-year-old, self taught artist. She specializes in graphite, but dabbles in ceramics, colored pencil, and painting— and is eager to explore all types of new mediums. She is intrigued by the human face, knowing that God is the true artist, creating every feature with intentionality. She believes that tales can be told through emotion shown by details as simple as a squint of an eye. Realism is the style that Cobi excels at; she strives to make every artwork more realistic than the last. God gave her this gift, and she intends to use it for His glory. My name is Cobi Deppen. This piece, “Unworthy Sinner: Forgiven,” is my only self portrait to date. The accentuated imperfect marks and scars on my face and body serve as outward symbols of my inward sinful nature, portraying the fact that I am an unrighteous sinner, unworthy of forgiveness, and in need of a savior. The dramatically dark background illustrates the fact that there is no saving hope that this world has to offer, salvation is found solely in Jesus Christ and his sacrifice. My posture in this self portrait is one of immense gratitude and worship. I am fully aware that I do not deserve grace and mercy—I instead should be experiencing the wrath of God— but because of the Lord’s unimaginable kindness and goodness, He has made a way for us to be saved from our sin by the blood of His son, Jesus Christ. This portrait is my attempt to capture the essence of who I am: an unworthy sinner, forgiven by the grace of God.