As part of M&T Bank Fourth Fridays at Tri-Main Center, artist George Hughes will be onsite for extended gallery hours on Friday, February 23,  from 5:00 pm-8:00 pm. The evening will include exhibition tours, artist talk at 6:00 pm, and screening of the video Project 1. This performance video by We-Us-Squared (WeS2) explores otherworldly phenomena where cyborgs operate under mutations, form-shifting, and translocation. We-Us-Squared is a project-based collaborative group exploring contemporary themes of sociopolitical, experimental and technological relevance through performance video. WeS2 artists who performed in Project I are Andy Krzystek, George Afedzi Hughes, Ian McCrohan, Lowell Merritt, and Ruby Merritt.

George Afedzi Hughes studied painting at The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, College of Art (1985–1991) where he earned a BA in Painting and Drawing and an MA in Art Education. He later received his MFA in Painting from Bowling Green State University(2001). Hughes’ work involves painting and performance art, utilizing the turbulence of colonialism as a premise to highlight parallels between that violent history and contemporary global conflicts.

His projects interpret in visual form the spectacle of information, knowledge and subjectivity. In addition he investigates the evolution of postcolonial reconciliation expounded through imagery pertaining to multicultural societies dealing with the residual effects of colonialism by addressing the dialog between personal and historical narratives. The objective of his two-dimensional work is to heighten awareness of the uncomfortable existence of human atrocities and to blur distinctions between the familiar and the novel and between conflict and resolution. His performance art evokes allegorical spectacles through interdisciplinary media, incorporating body art, music/sound, costumes and ritual, with the intent of transposing lifelike situations into memorable dramatizations.

Refreshments will include donation based wine and beer as well as delicious offerings provided by Ashker’s. This event is free and open to the public.

FIlm Screening and Artist Talk, Friday, February 23, 2018, 6:00 pm

(extended gallery hours for Friday, February 23, 5:00-8:00)

Exhibition on display January 26-March 3, 2018

M&T Fourth Fridays @ Tri-Main Center are free and open to the public.