University Communications and Marketing

February 7, 2014

Contacts:

Show runs February 20 to March 20 with special artist reception Feb. 20, 5-7 p.m.
Artist Talk Feb. 20, 4:30 p.m. in LA 205 and Artist Workshop Feb. 21, 2-4 p.m.

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — A suite of haunting burned paper portraits by Macedonian-born artist Igor Josifov will fill the Northcutt Steele Gallery on the campus of Montana State University Billings, February 20 through March 20.

The artist presents a group of individual and group portraits completed on heavy paper that is drawn upon with masking fluid and then skillfully burned to create images of powerful, graceful presence. In the series, fire seems to act as the catalyst for the liberation of figures whose impressions leave behind marks of the past.

Josifov, a well-established international performance and visual artist, is the artist-in-residence at Yellowstone Art Museum’s Visible Vault during the month of February. He is the first international artist to serve in the museum’s residency program. During his stay, the artist will be completing new works in the series and working with MSUB student gallery assistants to finalize the design of the exhibition.

Art student and gallery assistant Bonny Beth Luhman said the university’s collaboration with YAM is also a first. During his stay in Billings, Josifov will offer private workshops for MSUB art students and faculty.

“We’ve never seen work like his before,” Luhman said. “He brings such a new perspective and we are fortunate for this invaluable opportunity for students to have access to a working artist of his caliber.”

Josifov primarily splits his time between San Francisco and New York. He has studied art at the School for Applied Arts in Skopje, Macedonia, and the Academy of Art at San Francisco University. He is best known for multi-disciplinary figurative works that he performs and exhibits internationally.

“Over time my body has become my primary medium of expression and my work has become focused on the figure—my own and others,” the artist says.

The artist will discuss his work on Feb. 20 at 4:30 p.m. in the Liberal Arts building in room 205 immediately followed by a reception beginning at 5 p.m. The conversation, reception and exhibition are free and open to the public.

The artist will also offer a free public workshop based on his extensive performance art experience on February 21, from 2–4 p.m. in the Liberal Arts Building Room 116.

The Northcutt Steele Gallery is located on the first floor of the Liberal Arts building on the MSU Billings four-year campus. The gallery is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., and by appointment. For more information please visit: msubillings.edu/gallery or facebook.com/northcuttsteelegallery.

For more information about the artist visit: igorjosifov.tumblr.com.

For media inquiries contact Northcutt Steele Gallery Director Leanne Gilbertson at 657-2903 or leanne.gilbertson@msubillings.edu.

PHOTOS: 1) River of Faces; 2) Igor Josifov