Oasis Arts Center
948 North 8th Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19123

The Asian Arts Initiative and Oasis Arts and Education present: PORTRAITS IN EMOTION and SELF AS ANIMAL. An exhibition of two bodies of work completed in 2008 as a result of residencies with Philadelphia artists Deborah Caiola and Elisabeth Nickles through the Oasis Artist in Residence Program. This exhibition is presented as part of the pilot of the Asian Arts Initiative's Community Curators program.

Portraits In Emotion is an exhibition of paintings and texts. Led by resident artist Deborah Caiola, this exhibition brings together eleven Philadelphia artists who openly reflect upon personal experiences with mental illness and the process of art-making. Also on exhibtion is SELF AS ANIMAL.

Oasis Artist in Residence Elisabeth Nickles along with six Oasis participants explore animal representations of the self in works on paper and in clay. Ms. Nickles reflects on the experience in working with this group of unique individuals through a series of six sculptures based on her interpretation of their perceived animal selves.

This exhibition will be presented at the Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine Street, from February 6 through March 15, 2009. An opening reception will be held on First Friday, Feb. 6 from 5:30-7:30.