An Update from Shirley MacGregor

I was lucky to be able to take part in Her Presence in Color X as part of the American faction. This took place over a period of one week. In 2014 it will be held in Mongolia. Here is a little about the exhibition and the events.

Her Presence in Color X was held in Vietnam June this year and featured the art of about 212 women artists representing 20 different countries. The biennial event was formed in 1993 in Asia and has grown to include many countries. We were fortunate to host the congregation here in Portland, Oregon, two years ago. To learn more about this organization visit the website.

The theme of the exhibition, "Women's Art - a New Direction in Global Culture," was conceived to reflect the common vision and mission of the women artists and their aspiration for the development of a new global culture. The intent is to focus on the human aspects of life and their concern of women artists for a sustainable environment.

The Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts, the venue for the exhibition, is an old French colonial building and a wonderful place for the show. Museum officials generously provided two floors of one building and plenty of space for the exhibition. An adjacent (and virtually identical) building holds a wonderful collection of contemporary art.

The conference Her Presence in Color X featured more than just the exhibition. There was a seminar at HCMC Fine Art University in which each country's representative presented their take on the theme, "Women's Art - a New Direction in Global Culture."

Another feature of the conference was a painting day where each artist was given two ceramic plates to paint, which were subsequently fired and finished. It was amazing what the artists came up with.

We were also taken across town to a gallery of HCMC Fine Art Association to see a collection of wonderful lacquer painting art. Also at the end we were treated to a farewell party at an artist colony on the river. What a fantastic ending this was!

I have posted pictures and more on my website.
Shirley MacGregor