Artist Reception: Dionne Pia and Olivier Kpognon
Event Details
Join us on Wednesday, October 14 for our a reception and artist talk with visual artists Dionne Pia (Understory) and Olivier Kpognon, whose exhibits will be on display at the Library September 30 through December 8. The conversation will be moderated by Westport artist Miggs Burroughs.
The reception will take place from 6 to 7 pm, followed by an artist talk from 7 to 8 pm.
About the Artists
Dionne Pia: Weston, Connecticut-based artist Dionne Pia holds a BFA in Painting from the Rhode Island School of Design and studied in Rome via the European Honors Program. Shifting from a representational approach, her current mixed-media paintings invite viewers to experience the story within the frame. Pia distills one-word subjects into dynamic visual poems, using saturated color and bold imagery to fuse historic and contemporary culture. Her work explores themes of grief, loss, protection, hope, and humor. Pia’s artwork has been included in numerous juried and invitational exhibitions across Connecticut and New York, and is represented in private collections throughout the United States.
Olivier Kpognon: When most people think of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, they think of the competition, the perfectly groomed dogs, the judges, the ribbons, and the moment when a champion is chosen.
When I photograph Westminster, I’m drawn to everything that happens around those moments. I look for the quiet connection between a dog and its handler. A reassuring hand before entering the ring. A glance that seems to need no explanation. The patience of a groomer carefully preparing a coat. A dog being washed, clipped, brushed, carried, comforted, or simply resting beside the person it trusts. These are small moments, but to me they reveal something much larger: love, loyalty, faithfulness, trust, and belonging.
There is also a wonderful sense of theater at Westminster. The extraordinary variety and beauty of the dogs, the elegance and personal style of the handlers and judges, the intensity of competition, and, occasionally, the wonderfully funny and whimsical moments that remind us that these remarkable competitors are still dogs.
As a photographer, I am interested in that intersection: the beauty and the humor, the spectacle and the intimacy, the precision of competition and the unpredictability of life happening around it.
Being behind the scenes gives me access to a world that most spectators never see. My photographs invite viewers beyond the judging ring and into those less visible spaces: the grooming areas, the waiting, the preparation, the nervousness, the affection, and the moments immediately before and after competition.
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For more about the Library's art exhibits, visit the Art at the Library page.
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The Westport Library is committed to intellectual freedom, inclusivity, and lifelong learning. Our mission is to provide welcoming spaces for the free exchange of ideas. The Library does not endorse or condemn points of view, including any program content or the views expressed by presenters or participants.
