Being able to transform a thought into a work of art is a challenge - a challenge Freshteh Parvizi thrives upon.
On Sunday, Parvizi will unveil her art exhibit, “bones & flutes at 5 in the afternoon,” from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Otherwise Gallery, 1207 Turner St. in Lansing’s Old Town.
After reading an elegy - a poem expressing sorrow over another’s death - by Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca, Lansing-based artist Parvizi said she felt compelled to put his words into images. She said she became familiar with Lorca’s work growing up and living in Iran, where his work has the most notoriety. Parvizi moved to the United States 16 years ago.
“I love Lorca’s poems and this particular poem that I chose is about one of his friends, who was a bullfighter who died during one of his performances,” she said. “This poem is beautiful and full of feelings.”
Parvizi said she started thinking about the painting a year ago, but didn’t actually pick up a brush until five months ago. She said the entire painting took her about four months to finish - and she’s still not satisfied.
“I have some more ideas right now, but I prepared 10 to 15 pieces for this exhibit,” she said. “It’s very emotional when I work. I go to a very deep place - it’s hard to explain.”
Parvizi works primarily in acrylics, pastels and colored pencils, and said she wants to show more of Lorca’s work and ideas through her art.
“You have to be familiar with Lorca’s work,” she said. “It has both sides - life and death. I tried hard not to make the exhibition too dark, too strong or too sad.”
Ruelaine Stokes, a poet and photographer, said Lorca’s poem is one of the most important elegies ever written.
“(Parvizi) has always had this dream of being able to do an exhibit on this poem,” said Stokes, also an instructor of English as a second language. “The result is a very interesting interplay between art and words - there’s a real story in it.”
Terry Terry, president of the Old Town Business and Art Association, said Parvizi’s work is a perfect fit for the Otherwise Gallery.
“Freshteh’s work is really powerful and exciting,” he said. “It reflects a maturity and a sensitivity, along with a really nice use of color.”
Terry said Parvizi’s opening reception is among one of many for the Sunday Gallery Walk.
“Most of the galleries have new shows on the first Sunday of the month,” he said. “They do a gallery walk of the circuits - there are several dozen in the Lansing and East Lansing area.”
Terry said the gallery tries to present an alternate route for artists who may not get exposure in other venues.
“The gallery shows works from emerging artists whose work reflects experimentation and a social commentary,” he said.
“Bones & flutes at 5 in the afternoon” will run through April 22 at the Otherwise Gallery. For more information call 371-4600.
