“Rise” by Shaun C. Whiteside, courtesy of the artist

From my Inbox to you:

Radford University alum Shaun Whiteside was awarded ‘Best in Show’ for his painting ‘Rise’ at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art’s “New Waves 2013″ exhibition. The group exhibition will feature Whiteside’s painting until April 28th.

Shaun C. Whiteside works with acrylic paint in a style most influenced by Abstract Expressionism, with an emphasis on the metaphysical and emotional realm, rather than on optical reality. Using several layers of thin glazes, partially washed away, he creates oppressively dense atmospheric environments, with biomorphic, liquid shapes within them. Whiteside graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts from Christopher Newport University in 2007, and received his Master of Fine Arts at Radford University in 2011. He has recently been awarded both a Best in Show at the Peninsula Fine Arts Center’s 2010 Biennial Exhibition, as well as a 2011-2012 VMFA Fellowship grant, and his works are in several private collections across Virginia.

Whiteside’s work explores the metaphysical realm of emotionality through a painting and drawing process that employs physical forces.  By working on vertical, horizontal, or slightly inclined surfaces, the artist uses gravity itself as a medium to develop imagery that is directed by natural law.  Water erosion and sedimentation also determine parts of the visual outcome, as pigments are swept away from certain areas, and deposited in others where water accumulates and evaporates.  Whiteside uses the visual forms that develop to depict emotional forces and energies that are unseen very real powers in the world.

MOCA presents its annual juried exhibition, New Waves 2013 for the 18th year. Over 180 artists from across Virginia submitted work and proved, yet again, that the Commonwealth contains a rich and vast array of artistic talent. This exciting exhibition demonstrates the diversity of materials and approaches that are used in contemporary art today.

The juror for New Waves 2013 is Carla Hanzal, an independent curator based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Hanzal previously served as the Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Mint Museum (2002-2012) where she organized 40 exhibitions, including initiating the VantagePoint contemporary art series and the nationally-recognized exhibition, Romare Bearden: Southern Recollections. Prior to working at the Mint, Hanzal was curator of the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia, now MOCA, (1997-2002).

Whiteside graduated with a BA from CNU’s art department in 2007, and received a Master’s of Fine Art from Radford University in 2011, where he currently adjuncts.  Mr. Whiteside’s works and upcoming exhibits can be seen on his Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/shaun.whiteside

The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art is located at 2200 Parks Avenue Virginia Beach, VA 23451 .  Gallery hours from 10am-9pm on Tuesdays, 10am-5pm on Wednesday through Friday, and 10am-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays.  Call 757-425-0000 for more information, or e-mail info@virginiamoca.org.