Brian Bishop

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Brian Bishop, assistant professor of art at The University of Alabama, has been selected to exhibit his art collection in the department of art, music and theatre at Georgetown University Jan. 21-Feb. 9.

Bishop’s vivid and layered encaustic paintings focus on seemingly insignificant moments in life which he then permeates with wax. Bishop says his paintings help to “create a social preoccupation with the overlooked or mundane moments in life.”

The art exhibit will feature large-scale charcoal drawings as well as the newly revived encaustic technique. The form of encaustic painting dates back as far as the fifth century with artists in Greece using wax to create their paintings. The encaustic painting technique involves applying hot wax, mixed with colored pigment to a surface and then manipulating the wax with various heating elements to create an image. The completed painting features a layered look and radiant detail.

Along with being selected to showcase his work at Georgetown University, Bishop has exhibited his work in more than 17 states including solo exhibitions in Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and Arkansas. Bishop’s work was also featured in the inaugural exhibition at Gallery 111 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Bishop attended the Savannah College of Art and Design, The School of Visual Arts, Memphis College of Arts and the Cranbrook Academy of Art.

Before coming to UA in 2002, Bishop taught at a number of different colleges including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Memphis, Mount Olive College, Mid-South Community College and Memphis College of Art.

As well as serving as assistant professor of art at UA, Bishop also serves as the director and curator of the Art Workers Union/Plan B Gallery in Memphis as well as the director of exhibitions at Memphis College of Art. To view images from this exhibit go to http://www.artworkersunion.com/bbishop.