(VIDEO) Artist Philip Monaghan and poet David Trinidad both will be in Lubbock to discuss the inner workings of their collaborative project.
Pop culture and poetry meet visual art in an exhibit making its world debut at the Texas Tech University School of Art Oct. 2.
Artist and Texas Tech alumnus Philip Monaghan is returning to Lubbock to present his latest paintings in an exhibit titled “‘Why Are You Doing This To Me?' Philip Monaghan and David Trinidad” at the Landmark Gallery. The exhibit is a visual statement of Trinidad's poem “The Late Show,” which includes scenes from a number of women's films from the 1950s and 1960s. The poem is a tribute to the time Trinidad spent watching these movies with his mother. Monaghan's paintings invoke the campiness, horror and emotion of each scene, as well as bringing to life his experiences watching the same movies.
Director of Landmark Arts Joe Arredondo said the exhibit was an excellent opportunity for the university to examine cross-disciplinary art and invite the audience into a discussion about the art, including the movies themselves along with the paintings and poetry.
Monaghan, whose works will be displayed at his alma mater for the first time since his graduation 40 years ago, said he is excited to share these works in this venue and in this time period, which is far removed from when the movies were made. Many of the women depicted represented feminism before feminism was a movement, and their contribution is lost, he said.
“The discipline that was instilled in me at Texas Tech is a very big part of my life, and that's a big reason why I wanted to come back and do something here,” he said.
Monaghan will be in residence from Sept. 27 to Oct. 3 and is available for interviews
during that time. Additionally, the opening week of the exhibit at Texas Tech includes
a number of special events that are open to the public.
RECEPTION: Monaghan and Trinidad will attend the exhibit's opening reception, which takes place
from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 3 in the Art building foyer.
READING: Trinidad will do a poetry reading of his newer work and possibly poems from “The Late Show” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 in Room 001 of the English building, hosted by the Department of English's creative writing program.
DISCUSSION: Kristi Humphries, assistant professor in critical studies and artistic practice, will moderate a panel discussion with Monaghan and Trinidad from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Oct. 2 in the Student Union Building ballroom. The discussion is part of the Arts Research Practice Conference.
“‘Why Are You Doing This To Me?' Philip Monaghan and David Trinidad” opens Oct. 2 and runs through Dec. 13 in the School of Art's Landmark Gallery. It will include a continuously running video recording of Trinidad reading “The Late Show.” The exhibit is slated to open in New York City in 2016 and other cities the following year.
Who are the artists?
Philip Monaghan graduated from Texas Tech in 1976 with a degree in fine arts. From there he went
to graduate school in New York City and worked in graphic design, art direction and
marketing, creating imagery for iconic brands of the day. He returned to painting
about 10 years ago. Read more about his life here.
David Trinidad has written 13 books of poetry and edited or collaborated on a number of others.
He won a Lambda Literary Award and numerous other awards. He is a professor of creative
writing and poetry at Columbia College Chicago.
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CONTACT: Joe Arredondo, director of landmark arts, School of Art, College of Visual & Performing Arts, Texas Tech University, (806) 742-1947 or joe.arredondo@ttu.edu.
