Jamestown artist Kristina C. Giunta-Faulkner recently participated in a three-day art show in New York City.
The art show was created by Dr. Chris Barlow of London who independently holds an "American Idol" for artists, bringing opportunities for those who are serious and dedicated, yet undiscovered.
The show, entitled "Parallax AF," was Barlow's inaugural international opening in the U.S. While there Giunta-Faulkner was juried and accepted among about 200 artists including 30 international artists and 20 from New York state. By participating in the show she is now signed on for two more SoHo galleries. SoHo is a neighborhood in New York City well known for the arts.
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Artist Kristina C. Giunta-Faulkner,
pictured at top, recently had her work shown at an art show in New York City.
"It was a really good show with a really good turnout, and a lot of fascinating people," said Giunta-Faulkner. "There were 30 different countries represented at the show. Some of them spoke English and some of them didn't, but we all found a way to communicate. All their works were very talented and looked fresh. And, while there I made a couple hook-ups with cooperative galleries. It was the step that I was looking to take."
The success that she has earned didn't come until she realized her love of art had to be more than a romantic notion, she said. So, she began to wear all the business hats such as: manager, promoter, advertiser, roadie, cook, hostess, researcher and imaginer.
"It's all about connections and recognition," said Giunta-Faulkner. "You have to meet the right people and make the right choices. That's why this show was really cool, because it was an opportunity to get out there and show my stuff. There is no overnight success. It's one step at a time and one rung in the ladder."
Giunta-Faulkner brought seven pieces to the NYC show including "Nostradamus" which she created during the Erie Arts Fest Chalk Walk. She also had with her "Stepford Koolaid," "She Front" and "Golf Course Mermaid."
"Nostradamus fit right in because it's big and has bright colors," she said.
Giunta-Faulkner studied at Spokane School of Art in Washington, and has taken many classes at Jamestown Community College and SUNY Fredonia. She uses what she learned in school to practice a variety of art forms including: sewing, painting, installations, assemblages, abstract, representational and interactive. Studying at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh gave her work a commercial edge, she said. Her work has also been described as having a feminist edge. But, no matter what she is doing she always tries to keep it conceptual, she added.
"The paintings have meaning behind them, and all have stories," said Giunta-Faulkner. "A certain series of them I actually call story-book paintings. A critic once described my work as feminist, but, I don't consider that aspect dominant. Although I do cover feminine material, I have all different interests such as recycling, nature, animals and others that I touch on. But, really I try to be all encompassing."
Giunta-Faulkner's most recent show opened on Sept. 6 in Erie with the Northwest Pennsylvania Arts Association at 7 E. Seventh St. The show runs through Sept. 29. For more information visit npaaonline.org.