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METROSCAPES
by Phyllis Furdell


Ms. Furdell has been painting portraits for over twenty years, combining careers as an artist and as a professional project manager, researcher, and writer in the fields of economic development, urban poverty and workforce issues. Primarily a self-taught artist, she has studied with the late Rhoda Lurie Fried and George Palmer of Buffalo, NY; Danni Dawson and Diane Tesler of the Art League School in Alexandria, VA; and has taken workshops from renowned pastel artists Daniel Green and Albert Handel.

"MetroScapes," Ms Furdell's series of paintings depicting scenes on Washington, DC's subway system, has been compared to the social realism of artist Edward Hopper and reflects her love of cities and her background in urban issues. These paintings depict commuters on the Washington, DC, subway system where the employed and unemployed, the young and the old, the homeless and the professional, travel together. The metro train system becomes a metaphor of life's journey itself, strangers in the human family traveling together but preoccupied with their individual destinies and destinations.

Furdell was selected for exhibition in January 2004 through Target Gallery's annual Open Call, during which a panel of art collectors and professionals review proposals and award one opportunity for exhibition in the gallery. Last year's panel was made up of WPA/C Director Annie Adjchavanich, nationally recognized fiber artist B.J. Adams, and Washington area collectors James and Jenna Blalock.

Target Gallery is the national exhibition space of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, displaying artwork in all media from artists across the United States and abroad. Located on the ground floor of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, Target is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, 12 noon to 5 pm and other times by appointment. The gallery is also open for Second Thursday Art Night in Old Town, when many art businesses are open from 6-9 PM. Contact the gallery at (703) 838-4565, ext. 4 or by e-mail at chuschle@torpedofactory.org

 
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