Arts and Culture

Tradition renewed with artist mentoring

It was common years ago for young artists to be mentored by someone experienced in the field. DU’sSchool of Art and Art History is bringing the tradition back by hosting German painter Jonas Burgert as an artist-in-residence during fall 2008.

“This is an established tradition in the art world,” says Dan Jacobs, director of DU’s Myhren Galleryand curator of the University Art Collections. “When we heard Jonas Burgert would be in town for a lecture at the Denver Art Museum, we pursued the opportunity of having him at DU.”

Burgert, who is a rising star in the European art world, will participate in studio art classes and critiques in addition to displaying his work at the Myhren Gallery. He will also use a portion of the gallery as his studio, allowing students to view him at work.

“This is new for me,” Burgert says. “In Berlin I have a very big studio and paint alone for eight hours a day. It will be a learning experience for me, too.”

Burgert is known for sizeable paintings that often incorporate bright colors and vivid images of people and animals to symbolize a journey in time.

“From my personal point of view about the world I create my own language,” he says. “You hope people are able to read your language. That is the big question, always.”

Burgert will host a public lecture Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 6 p.m. in Sturm Hall, Room 281. He will be in residence until Nov. 20 and his work will be on display until Nov. 23. The gallery is open daily from noon to 4 p.m. and is free to the public.

[Editor’s note: In an earlier version, the School of Art and Art History was incorrectly identified. We regret the error.]

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