SMU exhibit to examine cultural, social forces through paintings, audio

"Samiha" - encaustic painting by Michal Sagar












"Hinda" - encaustic painting by Michal Sagar

WINONA, Minn. — Minneapolis artists Michal Sagar and Francisca de Beurges Rosenthal will present a thought-provoking and inspiring exhibit titled, “Branches: A Contemporary Convivencia” from Oct. 14 through Nov. 10 at Saint Mary’s University.

The show, which includes encaustic on wood by Sagar and an audio installation by de Beurges Rosenthal, explores a poetic interplay of social and cultural forces between Jews, Muslims and Christians. Specifically, the two focus on where human tensions interact with the natural world, leaving their imprint on each other.

Sagar has created portraits of Jews, Muslims and Christians — from their home countries and from the U.S. — to understand what separates us and what binds us together. Their memorable faces are captured in encaustic paintings on wooden panels. Encaustic painting, also known as hot wax painting, involves using heated beeswax with colored pigments.

De Beurges Rosenthal interviewed some of the people depicted in Sagar’s beautiful, yet haunting, pieces. An audio installation from these interviews accompanies the paintings. One of de Beurges Rosenthal’s earlier sculpture and voice pieces, “Sh’ma” was first seen at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum in 1996. This installation depicted the issues of the Holocaust and the silence produced by trauma. In her ongoing work, de Beurges Rosenthal gives voices to those often encouraged to keep silent.

“Branches” will be on display in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, located in SMU’s Toner Student Center, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

An opening reception is planned for 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, at the galleries.

The exhibit is free and open to the public. For more information, call (507) 457-1652.