Artists Talk:A Visual Art Reflection on the Work of Ron Bechet
About the Artist:
MaPó Kinnord
MaPó Kinnord grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. She apprenticed with several production potters before receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Massachusetts College of Art in 1984 and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Ohio State University in 1994. Arriving in New Orleans in 1994, she is now the chair of Art and Performance Studies and serves as a Professor of Art at Xavier University of Louisiana and a board member of NCECA, National Council for the Education of Ceramic Art. A well-respected educator and artist, MaPó Kinnord has taught workshops at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine, Penland School of Craft in North Carolina, as well as the Kambe no Sato Arts Center in Matsue, Japan. MaPó maintains a studio in New Orleans. Samples of her production pottery, sculptures, and drawings can be viewed at https://www.mkinnordart.com/.
Ayo Scott
Ayo Scott was born from and into art. By age 7, he'd cast bronze and made paper from blue jeans under the tutelage of his renowned father, Macarthur fellow John Scott. A lifelong resident of New Orleans, Ayo attended St. Augustine High School for a year, graduating from Ben Franklin in 1998. On any given day, Ron Bechet, Martin Payton, Ellis Marsalis and a host of other artists could be found at the Scott home talking art and inspiring Ayo’s path. Scott received his bachelor’s of art from Xavier University in 2003, continuing his master’s degree at The Institute of Design in Chicago, although he would ultimately leave the program after Hurricane Katrina to rebuild his parents’ home. Ayo’s early series spoke to his journey as the son of an artist, the 2004 Tsunami in the Indian Ocean and his own post-Katrina reclaiming of New Orleans. Collectively with friends, Ayo started his design and clothing company, NOYO Designs Inc. and an open mic showcase highlighted by spoken word poetry, music and visual art named Pass It On in tribute to his father’s mantra. A favorite of many for his portraits of New Orleanians, Ayo’s most recognizable works are his large-scale murals along Homer Plessy Way, on the wall of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and at Louis Armstrong Airport memorializing Leah Chase and several other places around the city of New Orleans. Over the years, Scott has worked in commercial graphic design while building on his art. His work incorporates digital design, paint, wood, cloth, paper, and found objects.
Jamar Pierre
With over twenty years of professional visual art experience, Pierre has curated exquisite masterpieces for fine art exhibits both stateside and internationally in countries such as Iceland, Canada and Costa Rica. Most recently, he is featured in the Library of Congress for the NOLA Foundation’s historic choice of Pierre to create the city’s official Tricentennial Celebration artwork. Pierre has also been recognized by both the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Institute and the National Public Radio broadcasting group for his contributions to fine art. From his numerous previous showings including in the Houston Museum of Fine Art, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, the New Orleans Museum of Art, to his current Citizen of the World Series at the Longue Vue House and Gardens, to his commitment to storytelling through art with the NBA All Star program, Pierre has a joie de vivre like no other.
Pierre’s passion for cultural advocacy and commitment are clear drivers of his work, including the likes of Pierre’s involvement with New Orleans’ own annual Jazz and Heritage Festival, his juried exhibitions for Red Bull and Prospect 3 and 4, as well as his work hanging in all corners of the world - especially in those of the host countries of his completed highly competitive artist-in-residency programs.
From his roots as a New Orleans graffiti artist, to his elite technique in painting original works, J. Pierre also channels his talent into live performance paintings, community murals and commissioned works.
About the Facilitator:
Gabrielle Tolliver
Gabrielle Tolliver is a visual artist from New Orleans, Louisiana, specializing in abstract expressionism. Her works explore the complexities of human emotions, resulting in labyrinthine intersections of color that mimic these emotions' intricate layering.
Using watercolor, acrylic paint, and ink as her primary mediums, Tolliver’s process involves building wash-like layers of paint through a call-and-response method, allowing each layer to interact freely with the canvas. The use of fluid mediums necessitates a relinquishing of control, emphasizing the importance of true deliberation into the artistic practices of the 21st century. This methodology allows the flow of each layer to be unknown until dried and builds upon the work’s narrative, similar to the flow of our emotions. This method ensures that each artwork is a one-of-a-kind creation.
With enthusiasm to develop and beautify spaces, Tolliver seeks out roles that allow her to develop community through the arts. Working as a member of art organization leadership teams, she has assisted with grant writing, program development, budgeting, community events, and public art projects. Tolliver’s work has been exhibited at institutions such as the Ogden Museum of Louisiana, CICA Museum, and Studio BE. She has received grants from the National Performance Network, Red Bull, and Art Council New Orleans to continue her artistic endeavors. Through her thoughtful and introspective art practice, Tolliver invites viewers to explore and reflect on the complexities of human emotions and their relationships.