NJCU Galleries present The Persistence of History exhibition

New Jersey City University (NJCU) Galleries are delighted to present The Persistence of History, a group exhibition curated by Peter Delman. The exhibition (Oct 6 - Nov. 27) explores often-unacknowledged aspects of history in contemporary art. Featuring twelve renowned and internationally active artists, the exhibition interweaves personal histories, public memory, and reinvented narratives within a diverse body of work.

Participating artists are Lewis Colburn, Tim Daly, Christy Georg, Nina Katchadourian, Joyce Kozloff, Stacy Renee Morrison, Michael Oatman, Debra Priestly, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Joshua Reiman, Roger Shimomura, and Gaku Tsutaja. Nearly fifty works from artists’ collections, galleries, and an art institution across the nation are displayed in two distinct gallery spaces in conversation with one another. Varied media, such as, collage, drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, sound sculpture, and video sculpture are represented.

According to Delman, “The responses to history by artists in this exhibition are deeply personal and often rooted in childhood. Debra Priestly learning the traditions of common rituals and common objects from her grandmother. Tim Daly remembering childhood afternoons gazing up at the big skies and the vapor trails left by jets from a military base in southern New Jersey. Joyce Kozloff borrowing the childhood drawings of her son to expand the boundaries of her own understanding of history. Roger Shimomura on his tricycle, a tiny figure peddling through the shadows of the Minidoka internment camp.”

The exhibition seeks to illuminate how these artists use history as a metaphorical tool to suggest thoughtful, transformative visions for the present. The galleries published a richly illustrated full-color catalog with funds provided by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. In addition to a reception on October 17 and panel discussion on October 22, a workshop with artist Gaku Tsutaja will be held on November 8. Curator’s and director’s gallery talks for school groups will be held throughout the exhibition period.

Both NJCU’s Visual Arts Gallery and Harold B. Lemmerman Gallery are open to the public on Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and by appointment.

For further information, contact Midori Yoshimoto, Gallery Director, at myoshimoto@njcu.edu (or 201-200-2197).