Ernest A. Bryant III, Untitled, 2007. Oil on canvas, textile collage, military medals. Approx. 48 x 41 x 6"

Franklin Art Works 1021 East Franklin Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55404 USA (city map) Send E-mail tel +1 612 - 872 7494 www.franklinartworks.org

Ernest A. Bryant III & Ezra Johnson at Franklin Art Works
Opening Reception Saturday September 15, 6-8pm

Artist Talk
Saturday September 22 at 2pm.

During his talk in the Main Gallery, Bryant will discuss and provide insights into his first solo exhibition of new work currently on view, followed by a brief question and answer session. This event is free and open to the public.

This is a rare event for our Twin Cities audience to learn more about this fast-rising artist and his work.

Minneapolis - Franklin Art Works is pleased to present two concurrent solo shows featuring new work by Minneapolis-based artist Ernest A. Bryant III and New York artist Ezra Johnson.

In the Main Gallery - Ernest A. Bryant III: Trick Baby

The fast-rising Minneapolis artist will present a series of wall mounted assemblages, employing aerosol paint, fragments of fabric and sculpture. These culturally loaded objects investigate the creation of new perspectives for experiencing the world, and critiquing those already in existence.

In his two years since graduating from the Minneapolis College of Art & Design, Bryant's work has attracted great acclaim, including a residency at the Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture (Maine), and artist fellowships from the Jerome and Bush Foundations. This will be his first ever solo exhibition.

Ernest A. Bryant III has exhibited and performed at the Minnesota Museum of American Art, Juxtaposition Arts, Intermedia Arts, and the Minneapolis College of Art & Design. Bryant also co-curated the group exhibition Afro Futurism at the Soap Factory in 2005.

Also on View - Ezra Johnson: What Visions Burn

Ezra Johnson will present the video projections What Visions Burn and What Birds Remember If They Do Remember (both 2006). Johnson's animated, low-tech digital films use lushly colored paintings and collaged figures to tell elaborate stories, including that of a pair of art thieves in What Visions Burn. The works are realized through a laborious process, as Johnson paints and re-paints the surface of his canvases to create each frame of the film.

Ezra Johnson's work in video and painting have been included in exhibitions at the Hammer Museum (Los Angeles), Nicole Klagsbrun Gallery, Tilton Gallery, Kantor/Feuer Gallery and Artists Space (New York). He is currently a 2006-2007 Winter Fellow at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Massachusetts. This is Johnson's first exhibition in Minneapolis.

The exhibitions continue through November 3 and admission is always FREE. For more information, to arrange school group visits or tours, please contact Franklin Art Works staff at 612-872-7494.