The African American Museum in Philadelphia presents "The Unflinching Eye: Works of the Tiberino Family Circle"

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- This month, the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) highlights the work and influence of Philadelphia's Tiberino family of artists, and several artists associated with the family, with "The Unflinching Eye: Works of the Tiberino Family Circle."

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Opening September 27, 2013 and running through March 2014, the exhibition will focus on the art and artistic legacy of Ellen Powell Tiberino; the creative gathering places associated with the family including the Bacchanal, the Ellen Powell Tiberino Museum, and the family compound in Powelton Village; and the art of Ellen Powell Tiberino's children and husband Joseph Tiberino. 

Trained at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA), family matriarch Ellen Powell Tiberino – who passed away in 1992 - was one of Philadelphia's most prominent and prolific artists, whose depictions of the world captured the pain and beauty of the human existence. She was once quoted in a 1988 interview as saying, "I paint life, and life is not always beautiful." Tiberino was an unapologetic artist who forced the viewer to examine what was moving in the ordinary.

"The African American Museum in Philadelphia is committed to celebrating the art and influence of Philadelphia's outstanding African American artists," stated Patricia Wilson Aden, the museum's President & CEO. "The Unflinching Eye" is our salute to Ellen Tiberino who, along with her family, has had an immeasurable impact on the city's contemporary art community."

The Tiberino family – Ellen, Joseph, Raphael, Ellen (daughter), and Gabriele – has been creating art in their Powelton Village neighborhood for over half a century.  Ellen Tiberino and her husband Joseph worked in a variety of mediums: drawing, oil and watercolor painting, mixed media murals, and mosaics.  Taking up the baton passed on from their parents, daughter Ellen Tiberino works in ceramics and stained glass, while son Raphael Tiberino describes his work as figurative impressionistic. Additionally, Gabriele Tiberino has created several works for the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program.

"I am a huge fan of the work, passion, and drive of Ellen Powell and Joe Tiberino, and of the entire family. We are proud to have them as part of the Mural Arts family and look forward to this exhibition that will honor and uplift their contributions to the Philadelphia art community and beyond," said Jane Golden, Executive Director of the Mural Arts Program.

For decades, the Tiberinos have created artistic gathering spaces, such as The Bacchanal, that have contributed to the cultural vibrancy of Philadelphia and inspired artists throughout the region. 

In keeping with this tradition, AAMP's "The Unflinching Eye" will showcase the work of several artists associated with the Tiberinos.  Among the artists that will be represented are Paul Keene, Julius Bloch, Charles Searles, Walter Edmonds, Danny Simmons, Bariq Cobbs and Kathleen Spicer.

The "Unflinching Eye" will also highlight the Tiberino's tradition of forming artistic communities by integrating the creation of original artwork into the exhibition.  AAMP visitors will have the opportunity to discover the artist in themselves by contributing to the creation of a collaborative family mural in the museum's galleries.  This series of family-centered painting activities is coordinated by the Mural Arts Program, in conjunction with AAMP's Family Fun Days (schedule to be announced).

To learn more about "The Unflinching Eye: Works of the Tiberino Family Circle," visit www.aampmuseum.org, call 215-574-0380, or follow @aampmuseum on Twitter.

AAMP is open Wednesday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, and Sunday, Noon – 5:00 pm.  Admission is free to AAMP members, $14 for adults, and $10 for youth, students and seniors.

ABOUT THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM OF PHILADELPHIA
Founded in 1976 in celebration of the nation's Bicentennial, the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) is the first institution funded and built by a major municipality to preserve, interpret and exhibit the heritage of African Americans.  Throughout its evolution, the museum has objectively interpreted and presented the achievements and aspirations of African Americans from pre-colonial times to the current day.

AAMP collects and preserves art and artifacts and, through exhibitions and programs, interprets the history and stories of African American and those of the African Diaspora.  The museum enriches the lives of all visitors, especially children and youth, through experiences that enlighten them culturally and intellectually. AAMP is a gathering place, a forum for broader community engagement, and a partner for collaborations with historical and cultural institutions.

AAMP is located at 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106.

SOURCE African American Museum in Philadelphia

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