The Henry Madden Library at Fresno State will present a retrospective exhibition of artwork by Kristin Saleri — a pioneering 20th century artist of Armenian heritage who lived in Istanbul — from Feb. 6-May 31 in the Leon S. Peters Ellipse Gallery and Pete P. Peters Ellipse Balcony Gallery. Despite the challenges presented by her gender and ethnicity, she secured her place as a member of the founding generation of modern art in Turkey.

Saleri, who trained in Paris, was influenced stylistically by Impressionism and used art to convey a message of modern feminism. Her work is

kristin saleri

kristin saleri

filled with images evoking her love of the vast Anatolian landscape and its people — from women in traditional village dances to Bosporus fishermen to laborers in booming post-World War II factories.

Stylistically, Saleri’s work presents a blend of Eastern mysticism and Western Impressionism. Her folkloric themes range from Christian images to whirling dervishes, and from Mother Earth to the Tree of Life. Her message was one of inclusivity, expressing her deep appreciation for the range of diversity in nature and humanity.

The exhibition is curated by Fresno natives Joyce Kierejczyk and Carol Tikijian, who also curated a spring exhibition at the Fresno Art Museum of works by artists of Armenian descent in commemoration of the centennial of the Armenian genocide. The artworks exhibited are on loan from members of Saleri’s family who reside in Houston.

The public is invited to join Peter McDonald, dean of Library Services, and the Discovering Kristin Saleri committee for the Gala Donors Opening Dinner with the artist’s family and a preview of the exhibition at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5. Tickets for the three-course catered dinner are $100.

The free public Opening Reception is Saturday, Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. Please RSVP (enter code LIBSALERI).

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Marcie Morrison at 559.278.7177

For more information on the artist, visit www.kristinsaleri.com.

For more information, visit www.kristinsaleri.com, www.library.fresnostate.edu or contact Cindy Wathen at 559.278.1680 (office), 559.593.3604 (cell) or ciwathen@csufresno.edu.

For more information about disability accommodations or physical access, call 559.278.5792 in advance of your visit.

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SPONSORS:

 

Kristin Saleri

Kristin Saleri

Fresno Bee logo

Fresno Bee

EECU

EECU

 

Fresno State logo

Fresno State logo

Klein Denatale Goldner Logo

Klein Denatale Goldner

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo

Piccadilly Inn logo

Piccadilly Inn

Legacy Sponsor

Kristin Saleri Art Foundation

Masterpiece Sponsor

Educational Employees Credit Union

Roxie Moradian

Patron Sponsors

Geri and Jerry Tahajian

Fresno State

Wells Fargo

Curator Sponsors

Larry Balakian

Barbara Berberian

Rose Dolarian

Garabedian Foundation

Joyce and Bob Kierejczyk

Emiko Taketomo

Collector Sponsors

Lena and Varoujan Altebarmakian

Jane and Marvin Baxter

The Fresno Bee

Karen Dorian

Karen and Bruce Esajian

Klein, DeNatale, Goldner

Janice Maroot

Marcie Morrison

Annette Paxton

Gladys K. Peters

Lorraine Peters

Piccadilly Inn

Barbara Serimian

Carol Tikijian

Barbara and Robert Vartan