Artist Cheryl Hooks will exhibit works at Arts Council
By Other
Published in News on October 16, 2005 2:01 AM
"Meditations, Our Defining Symbols" opens Oct. 23 at the Arts Council of Wayne County. The exhibition includes about 75 works including acrylic, oil and watercolor paintings as well as a number of photographs.
Artist Cheryl Hooks describes her images as responses to defining symbols of life within her agriculturally-based community in northern Wayne County, and as being reflective of her meditative approach to her work.
The exhibition will be divided into four areas of defining symbols: rural symbols, domestic symbols, spiritual symbols and portraits.
The body of work began when Ms. Hooks declared a personal intention to create each day as a meditative response to the various aspects of her life. The direction of her work expanded, but one thing remained constant: the desire to find balance and meaning in what Ms. Hooks defines as "the silence."
Journal writings will accompany the work as the viewer will be asked to share in the struggle to find the coveted definitions "in the silence." Ms. Hooks finds meaning in these aspects through their connection to each other. Images include deteriorating tobacco barns, abandoned buildings, fields of all seasons, irons, potatoes, buckets, dragonflies, churches, sheep and much more.
Ms. Hooks is an associate professor of fine arts at Mount Olive College. She has an associates of arts degree from Mount Olive College, a bachelor of arts degree from Barton College and a master of fine arts degree from East Carolina University.
She teaches design, drawing, painting, art appreciation, art history and book making. She has exhibited work at Mount Olive College, Barton College, East Carolina University, Loyola University in New Orleans, Mississippi State University, Arts Council of Wayne County, Wilson Arts Council, Pullen Arts Center in Raleigh and Cloister of the Church of San Franceco in Gubbio, Italy.
Ms. Hooks lives in Fremont, with her husband. Gene Hooks, a self employed farmer. She has three daughters, Jennifer, Megan and Amy Johnson, a son Kyle Hooks, and a step-daughter, Lara Hooks.
She is a member of Fremont United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women, where she is an active member of the Exum-Benton Circle. She is also a member of the Fremont Historical Society and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
The exhibition will run from Oct. 23 until Nov. 23 at the Arts Council, 2406 E. Ash St. More information can be obtained by calling 736-3300.