Wayne Rainey's Illuminated to debut at Artlink's 18th Annual Juried Exhibition

PHOENIX - Sept. 10, 2016 - PRLog -- Shade Projects is pleased to announce artist Wayne Rainey has been selected to participate in Artlink's 18th Annual Juried Exhibition at the Heard Museum. This exhibition was juried by a distinguished panel of prominent members of the Phoenix arts community: Nancy Hill, owner of Chartreuse (https://www.facebook.com/Chartreuse-838875789537206/), artist Fred Tieken (https://www.facebook.com/fred.tieken.5), and Ann Marshall, Ph.D., the Heard Museum (https://www.facebook.com/HeardMuseum/)'s director of Curation and Education. Artlink's 18th Annual Juried Exhibition is a one night only exhibition that will take place Thursday, September 15^th, 2016 from 6:00 to 9:00pm at the Heard Museum, located at 2301 N. Central Avenue in midtown Phoenix's Central Arts District. Tickets for the Artlink 18^thAnnual Juried Exhibition can be found here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/artlinks-18th-annual-juried-exhibition-tickets-26251673462

Rainey's artwork is "Illuminated", a 90"x60" mounted C print color photograph. This photograph depicts a moment of realization and pain in the midst of demolition and debris along Roosevelt Row. In it, one man, a local artist/musician, is settled in the twisted wreckage of two buildings, one of which was revered and beloved by the community but destroyed for urban development by out of state developers. Along with the buildings, an extraordinary mural painted by the famous artist Ettore Degrazia was also destroyed, and again protests fell on deaf ears. In it's place two luxury apartment buildings now stand with no public access and no public benefit and the artists and enterprising entrepreneurs  that made the area so attractive are not only footing the bill for the developer's success, but suffering due to the irresponsible and thoughtless methods in which their team is constructing their project. In a time when greedy developers can be seriously considered for the presidency of the United States, it is not shocking that a destroyer of a community can successfully act the part of arts supporter with a sham contest.

This photograph is one in a series of portraits the artist has created "dealing with artists, creators and sacred places." When asked about this work Rainey stated, "I found him quite by chance one night, sifting through the ruins of the Scientology/Greenhaus buildings after demolition had begun, turning over bricks as if he were looking for his home." Rainey went on to say, "It brought to mind the semblance of a war zone and ironically perhaps he, as a casualty, while the remaining structures pictured were gone within hours, there are now only memories and this."

Rainey is an artist whose passion lies in documenting people and the places they inhabit, while uncovering hidden symbolism behind the seemingly mundane. By re-imagining human interaction and activity through myth and legend, Rainey explores the unexpected meaning woven into the fabric of everyday life. A conscientious observer of people and culture, Rainey draws his inspiration from travel and observation. Rainey's strives to capture the essence of an environment through the people who shape it.

Rainey has exhibited his artwork at several major galleries throughout the nation, as well as having his artwork featured in numerous publications both online and in print including ArtNews, Art in America, and Photo District News. His work has been recognized throughout the world with numerous awards and accolades including the Addy Awards, an Award of Excellence from Communication Arts, and recent accolades in the Alternative Pick and the Photo District News (http://blog.store44.com/2013/07/wayne-rainey-receives-pdn...).

Rainey's most recent work is centered around unique perspectives of the human condition - a quality that crosses over into commercial projects often. Notable bodies of work include "The Passenger", a collection of mesmerizing imagery in London, a large video installation in the main lobby of State Farm's Marina Heights building, and the Arizona Department of Tourism campaign, a project that Arizona Foothills Magazine noted "captured the essence and beauty of the valley of the sun".

Leading the artistic revitalization in downtown Phoenix, Rainey has spearheaded some of the city's most prominent creative ventures, including Holga's Artists live/work facilities, and the creative consortium realized in monOrchid featuring two art galleries, co-working, studio and events space. These developments have played a crucial role in cultivating the artistic community within the Roosevelt Row Arts District.

For more information about the Artlink Exhibition visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/1036607986408044/ or about the artist Wayne Rainey visit: Raineystudios.com. Please direct all media inquiries to Cydney Guess, Executive Assistant to Wayne Rainey.