Inclusion in Art presents the film festival In Color at IAO Gallery August 10, 2013 opening from 4:30pm-9:00pm. IAO Gallery is located at 701 W. Sheridan in the historic Film Row. One part of the In Color film festival will be two films by two Oklahoma filmmakers focus on the visions and contributions of Native American and African-American visual artists.
In Color focuses on the contributions of minority filmmakers and films with a strong multicultural component. The event is in its third year and this years theme center’s around documentaries and their contributions to film aesthetically and in content. Featured will be traditional documentaries, nonfiction films and films that blur the line between fact and fiction. Among the films debuting at the festival are two features from Oklahoma directors Matt Barse and J. Leigh Brantly.
Matt Barse’s film, “I Said I Would Never Paint This Way Again”, centers around five Native American visual artists and their unique partnership with the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic. The clinic provides a full range of health care services to Indian people in the OKC metro area. The clinic recognizes the negative impact created by historical trauma and the way feelings of powerlessness can manifest into illness. By partnering with these five artists, the clinic is trying an innovative approach to visually “remind” clients of traditional Native American teachings that inspire wellness.
Barse has been directing films for over 10 years and is of Native American descent. He has been honored with several awards and has had films excepted into nationally recognized film festivals. He has created films in several different genres including comedy, horror and now documentary.
Brantly’s offering “Transcend” focuses on the lives of five African-American visual artists from Oklahoma and their ideas of society and the meaning of black art and culture. Taking place on the eve of the inauguration of the first Black president, Transcend explores the beliefs of these five artists in a time of progressive change. While not an African-American, J. Brantly immediately identified with many of the philosophies of the artists involved with the film. One of the artists, Brenna King who is half black and half white resonated with Brantly personally.
“I have lived a dual existence as a person of mixed heritage.” (J. Leigh is part Asian, Native American, and Caucasian.) It is very difficult to find a place culturally when you identify with two or in my case three ethnic backgrounds. Sometimes you question who you are even when you think you know.” says Brantly.
These two filmmakers are just a few of the visionaries that will be showing work at the In Color film festival. To view a trailer from J.Leigh Brantly or Matt Barse, follow the links below:
“I said I Would Never Paint This Way Again” trailer by Matt Barse: http://youtu.be/hBLx1UElxMk
“Transcend” trailer by J. Leigh Brantly: http://youtu.be/mX0H2oDSmok
For more information about In Color and Inclusion in Art visit www.inclusioninart.com or contact Nathan Lee at 405-886-0870 or by email: director@incluisioninart.com
Inclusion in Art is dedicated to cultivating racial and cultural diversity in Oklahoma’s visual arts community.