Artist Lori K. Gordon to Feature Exhibit at Southern Miss Gulf Park Campus

The Katrina Research Center at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast welcomes artist Lori K. Gordon's new series, “Six Degrees: West to East” for public exhibition through April 20.

The series features a collection of more than 100 collages, paintings and new media pieces inspired by the cultures of Cyprus and Turkey.An opening reception for Gordon and her exhibit will be held at noon Thursday, Feb. 17 at the Katrina Research Center, located on the third floor of the university's library on the Gulf Park campus in Long Beach. On Thursday, March 24 an informal discussion of the artist's work and its significance will be held in the Katrina Research Center at noon. Lunch will be provided at both events.

Gordon said her new work is a marked departure from her internationally recognized “Katrina Collection,” which has toured the U.S. for the past five years. All of the pieces in Gordon's new series are two dimensional works on board or canvas. The artist says her intent was to represent the ordinary citizens of Muslim countries as people who are our neighbors and friends.

Gordon first gained national recognition in 2004 when one of her pieces was acquired by the Smithsonian Institution. That recognition expanded to include an international audience when she created the “Katrina Collection,” which featured mixed media assemblages and incorporated storm debris from Hurricane Katrina.

In addition to the opening reception and discussion, Gordon will teach a workshop on her techniques at the Katrina Research Center March 25 and 26. To participate in the workshop, contact the Katrina Research Center at 228.214.3423 or e-mail krcFREEMississippi. For more information on the exhibit, visit www.usm.edu/katrina/.