John Duckworth: AWAKE | November 8- December 21, 2014

One as All by John Duckworth

The City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs presents John Duckworth: AWAKE at the City Gallery at Waterfront Park from November 8 – December 21, 2014. “Balance, awareness, and perception” are the three words contemporary artist John Duckworth uses to describe the unique nature of his upcoming multisensory exhibition titled AWAKE at the City Gallery at Waterfront Park.  The gallery will be transformed into an immersive space within a guided exhibition layout, displaying Duckworth’s photography, sketches, paintings, video, and audio installation in his most comprehensive show yet. The exhibition will be open to the public through December 21, 2014.

Much of Duckworth’s art has an underlying meditative quality, embedded in works such as his Buddhist inspired paintings and his most recognizable photographs of nature. AWAKE will feature over forty artworks in this exhibition that also highlights Duckworth’s creative and meditation practices. “My meditation practice is fundamental to my creative process. It is through witnessing the results of a deeper inner awareness of habitual thoughts, words, and actions that I become more adept at finding balance in these uncertain times,” says Duckworth.

The City Gallery will be transformed with a nontraditional presentation of the artist’s work, providing a new and exciting art experience for visitors.

Highlights of the exhibition include:

• An engaging video installation
• The Buddha Chapel which is the core of the exhibition, showcasing 15 large paintings within a Sanctuary like setting in the center of the gallery
• Series of sketches on paper and canvas which were preparatory works for the Buddha paintings
• Newest works featuring Duckworth’s exploration into new territories
• The Lounge for processing the exhibit
• A selection of Landscape Abstract photographs

AWAKE features work that encourages audiences to become more aware and focus on the present moment. As Duckworth’s art challenges viewers to free their minds of the constant to do lists and daily thoughts in order to embrace calmness or contemplation, the exhibition includes a physical space for viewer reflection and thought.

The artist states: “I believe that art/creativity is an essential component of human nature. Art inspires people to access their imagination, and imagination is the fuel that propels dreams and purpose in order to realize true human potential, and reveal our authentic self. Exterior guides often assist this sort of inner revelation; I believe that my artwork can function as a guide. My creative process is a personal exploration that mirrors my meditation practice and both are healing and self-transformative, and the result (my ‘art’) can resonate with others like a tuning fork – and either awaken this seed within, or simply affirm that we’re not alone in our searching.”

For over a decade art enthusiasts have been drawn into the serene world of Duckworth’s Landscape Abstract photography. Undergoing a major spiritual transformation in the recent years, his artistic practice has evolved into a new body of work that spans various media as well as new concepts. Working in video, installation, screen-printing and painting, Duckworth integrates themes of spirituality and elements of Eastern and Western cultures. The bombardment of modern mass communications, combined with political, environmental, cultural, and social uncertainty has led to an overall low-level anxiety that affects Western society. This new body of work is based in balancing the daily overwhelming impacts of Western contemporary culture with Eastern contemplative practices.

About The Artist

John Duckworth (b. 1972, San Diego, California) lives and works between Johns Island, South Carolina and New York City. He moved to Charleston in 1994 and earned a BA in Studio Art from the College of Charleston. Duckworth’s artistic practice extends across many roles, from filmmaker and graphic designer, to photographer and painter. Duckworth has had solo exhibitions at cueB Gallery, London; Hagedorn Foundation Gallery, Atlanta; Robert Lange Studios, Charleston; and Jennifer Hunt Gallery, Birmingham, AL. Duckworth has exhibited at Art Basel Miami and has been featured in group shows in Charleston at the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art and The Gibbes Museum of Art.