“IDSVA becomes a departure point for individuals to cultivate a praxis that guides the purpose of their lives. Contrary to conventional measures of success or fame, the praxis emphasizes kindness, care, consideration, listening, and dialogical encounters. This way of thinking blends reason and poetic consciousness, which extends beyond the individual, influencing their interactions with family, community, friends, and colleagues…. IDSVA emerges as a transformative space in this light, and its graduates become torchbearers, shaping an envisioned future that has yet to be fully realized.” 

— George Smith
Interview with Dr. Kate Farrington and Dr. María Patricia Tinajero

Amos Eno Gallery is thrilled to announce the opening of Praxis and the Artist Philosopher, a group exhibition featuring the latest creations by the talented 2024 graduates of the Institute for Doctoral Studies in Visual Art (IDSVA). The exhibition, on view in The Project Space at Amos Eno, will kick off with an opening reception on Friday, March 29, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the gallery’s location at 56 Bogart Street in Brooklyn, NY. A catalogue of works is also available on Artsy.

 The concept of the “Artist Philosopher,” as articulated by George Smith in a recent interview, celebrates the innate curiosity and wonder inherent in human nature. Challenging conventional philosophical frameworks that prioritize scientific knowledge, the artist-philosopher advocates for a form of thinking grounded in wonderment and a poetic understanding of the world.

 Drawing on the concept of praxis, which refers to the act of bringing forth new thought and action, the artists in this exhibition engage in a groundbreaking interplay between scholarship and art making. Despite IDSVA’s distinction as a non-studio-based Ph.D. program, a significant number of participating scholars are practicing artists who have maintained a prolific creative practice alongside their academic endeavors. Praxis and the Artist Philosopher underscores the vital role of art in philosophical inquiry, fostering a dynamic dialogue between creative expression and intellectual exploration.

This thought-provoking exhibition promises to challenge perceptions and inspire contemplation. Join us for an enriching evening of art and conversation at the opening reception on March 29.