PRESS RELEASE
Nov. 16, 2000
Public Affairs
Lori Ayotte
617-349-8525
Art Institute of Boston Student Represents US at APEC Young Artist Exhibition
BOSTON (Nov. 16, 2000) -- A student at The Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University is the only art student in the country selected to represent the United States at the Asian Pacific Economic Council (APEC) Young Artists Exhibition in Brunei this week.
Yatika Fields, a freshman from Stillwater, Oklahoma, was selected by the U.S. State Department to participate in the exhibition, titled "Contemporary Indigenous Arts -- Discovering the Roots." Fields is of Native American heritage, and his painting in the exhibit, "Acknowledgement of Difference," explores how his culture has influenced him.
"Contemporary Indigenous Arts" was chosen as a theme of the exhibition to inspire the artists' perceptions on how economic progress has evolved in their own countries. An important aspect of the artworks are their statements about the economic roots of each APEC member economy.
The collection of indigenous artwork from the different profiles captured by each artist will also provide an opportunity for the APEC community to discover and understand the different cultures, economic backgrounds, lifestyles, and business climates of APEC member economies. Art, in this exhibition, is acting as a medium to enhance APEC cooperation.
Each of the 21 nations attending the Brunei summit will have one young artist participating in the exhibition. Apart from providing valuable exposure for young, aspiring artistic talents, the exhibition is also aimed at developing a network among new artists -- fostering friendships and enhancing cooperation in the world of art and culture. The network will in turn be a means to exchange ideas on the creation or application of new techniques in producing high-quality artwork.
Fields is a 2000 graduate of Stillwater High School, and the son of Tom and Anita Fields. His Native American tribal heritage is Cherokee, Osage, and Creek.
The Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University is a four-year college of the visual arts offering the BFA degree, diploma, and certificate in Design, Illustration, Fine Arts, Photography, and combined majors.
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