Press Releases

January 21, 2002
Avram Gallery to Showcase Works by Nigerian Artist Fatimah Tuggar

Winter Gallery Season Opens with "Mama Na"; Reception Slated for February 14

Contact:
Patricia Conway (PR@southampton.liu.edu)
(631) 287 8313
Fax: (631) 283 4081

Southampton College's Avram Gallery will open the Winter season with Nigerian born artist Fatimah Tuggar's computer montage entitled "Mama Na" on February 1.

Tuggar mixes photomontages with modern objects, which she refers to as "hybrid objects," to form installations that encourage the viewer to be critical of representations of Africans. Her digitally assembled images depict familiar visions of Africa: Nigerian women in traditional dress and rural villages bereft of modern influence and modern comforts. The fabricated nature of her work is highlighted by combining seemingly incompatible images and objects. Her works for this show, ink jet on vinyl, include images she created from 1997 through 2000.

Tuggar's work is a complex study of Africa, requiring the viewer to question the validity of images and to confront the powerful dynamics within these cultural spaces. For a western viewer with little knowledge of African culture, many levels of meaning that enrich Tuggar's work can be overlooked. It takes an extra effort on the viewer's part to learn about African culture.

The exhibit will run through March 13. A reception will be held on Thursday, February 14 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. with a talk by the artist scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, noon to 5:00 p.m., or by appointment. For information about the exhibit, please call Gallery Director Beth Giles at (631) 287-8234.