We thank all the artists that took the time to submit their artwork to the upcoming 9th Annual Art Inter/National Exhibition. The Art Inter/National Exhibition began in January 2002 with the concept of exploring space, how the immediate environment impacts the artistic process and influences what each artist creates. The tradition of this exhibition continues this January with notification to the artists selected for participation in the 2010 Art Inter/National Exhibition. Inspired by the prestigious Carnegie International, Box Heart Gallery is thrilled to offer the Pittsburgh community an intimate, yearly alternative. Over 275 entries, from regional, national, and international artists, were received this year. Of these entries, 20 artists were selected for participation and 29 works of art in a variety of media will be exhibited.

The basis for an invitation to participate in The Art Inter/National Exhibition is sensitive to the diversity of work submitted; Box Heart strives to recognize that artists make art for different reasons and from different experiences. Box Heart looks closely for works that convey evidence of personal creative explorations and artistic commitment that directly relate to the purpose of the exhibition. A large part of determining the artist’s commitment to the exhibition’s theme rests solely on their ability to convey this evidence through the artist statement. The execution of the art work - as related to the artist’s intention - is then considered.

The artwork selected for this year’s Art Inter/National Exhibition is unified by the concept that the viewer is called upon to determine each's artist's view of the world and the space we occupy. For example, artist Anastasia Alexandrin "tries to capture the feeling and even the sounds around her and put them into an image. Drinking a cup of tea, thinking about a lover, or listening to the footsteps of a stranger in the apartment hallway-as a bird sings outside." (Alexandrin Artist Statement) She calls upon the viewer to reflect upon these moments and share with her the feeling of these everyday encounters. Chinese artist Chung Chak is intolerant of judging or labeling people based on prejudice and stereotypes, but uses these associations to construct compartmentalized narratives in his large-scale, digital collage artwork. Chak then leaves it up to the viewer to decide whether or not these stereotypes are true.
Many of the artists selected for participation in this year's Art Inter/National are also attempting to resolve a conflict in environment. For artist Stephen Marc "most of the history that (he) is invested in, took place on the other side of the country. His role is as a photographic “hunter and gatherer” while on the road, and digital “weaver and researcher” upon his return home. (Marc Artist Statement) Painter Michele Bulatovic is an urbanophile, formerly of Pennsylvania, currently wrestling with suburban life in Texas. For Bulatovic, "living in the Lone Star State has dramatically influenced (her) creative process. She's been rattled to her core by her environment, particularly by three of its characteristics: the sprawling development of the town in which she lives; the sterile social, political and cultural environment; and the bland landscape. The first two radically influence the style in which Bulatovic paints, and the latter influences the subject matter." (Bulatovic Artist Statement)
Each of the 2010 Art Inter/National participants have captured an individual process of translating their thoughts through visual imagery, ordinary moments that they experience at various occasions in daily life.

Join us for the public reception of this year's Art Inter/National Exhibition on Saturday, January 9th, 2010. It is free and open to the public.

To view this year's participating artists, visit Participants!