College of Fine Arts and Design

October 20, 2011

The University of Central Oklahoma Department of Art will host a public lecture given by Dallas-based painter Michael Tole at 7 p.m., Oct. 27 in the UCO Education Building, Room 115.           

Tole will discuss his work and the various influences that affect his creative executions.  In Tole's artist statement he explains some of these influences.           

"Taking my cue from the work of Gericault, Rembrandt, Boucher, Rubens, David and Wtewael, I use the figure as a motif, which, when repeated with variations, like a theme in a Bach concerto, create a complex, abstract contrapuntal composition that conveys mood simply with gesture, color light and movement, with discursive narrative signifiers."            

Tole has shown his work in his various solo exhibitions as well as group shows in numerous galleries, art centers and museums throughout the United States. His work has been displayed in the Galveston Arts Center in Galveston, Texas; the Cain Schulte Gallery in San Francisco, Calif.; the Conduit Gallery in Dallas and the Dallas Art Fair, among others.         

Tole has also received several awards and recognitions for his work.  Awards and recognitions include the 2006 Kimbrough Grant from the Dallas Museum of Art; the 2007 Hunting Art Prize from Hunting Ltd. and the 2008 and 2010 Shortlist recognition from the London International Creative Competition.              

During his visit to Central, Tole will conduct a workshop with students, which will include a painting critique session for advanced art students and a painting demonstration for all art students.

The lecture is free and open to the public; however, the workshop is only open to Central art students.           

For more information about Tole's lecture, contact the UCO Art Department at (405) 974-5201.           

For a complete schedule of UCO College of Fine Arts and Design performances and events please visit  www.uco.edu/cfad/events.