‘Global’ art project has a Lowcountry connection

In 2004, at a gathering in San Francisco, “The Dinner Club” began with a group of women, each of them from a different vocation. Jennifer Kuri was the only artist in the gathering. It was there she got the idea to paint portraits of each of the members. When two of the paintings were put on display, female audiences identified immediately with the works.

To inspire women the world over, it was then that Kuri began “The Global Women Project.” The Global Women’s Project tells the story of thirteen women. The number is is a very important feminine numerical reference in astrology, numerology,religion and mythology. The women who are portrayed in the portraits have done and accomplished much, helping to improve their cultures and societies.

The paintings are amazing, very Matisse-like, telling the story of the lives of each of the women through all sorts of mediums. Kuri has devoted ten years to the project which includes a marvelous book — also called “The Global Women’s Project.” The book is quite large and is also a diary-notebook of the journey Kuri has taken with her subjects and her paintings. It in itself is quite an amazing work.

The book made it’s debut at the very prestigious Biennale Arte Dolomiti in northen Italy on May 28. The book comes in a limited edition of 25. Kuri was one of two American artists invited to exhibit at the site. Some of the women celebrated in this beautiful artistic creation include Sonia Maria Sotomayor, Sally Ride and eleven other very special ladies.

Jennifer lives in Los Angeles with her director, producer, writer husband John Kuri. Her father-in-law Emile Kuri won two Oscars as a set decorator and helped Walt Disny design Disneyland. Many of Jennifer’s cousins live on Hilton Head with her Aunt Happy Levy, and her cousins Kate and Mike Hughes live here in Bluffton.

I am trying to interest a gallery on this side of the country in exhibiting Jennifer’s work. The paintings are large, so space is important. I think they would be very well received and enjoyed by many art lovers. You can Google “The Global Women’s Project” and Jennifer to find out more because there is quite a bit of interesting information about both.

Color our world

Coloring books for adults are selling like hotcakes.

Coloring with crayons can be very relaxing. Sometimes I even color in the little children’s books. Twelve million coloring books were sold last year in the United States.

There are versions of all sorts including one of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. There are even coloring books — not for children — using four letter words.

Why not print some using two particular four letter words — “love” and “pray” — for your fellow man. Sorry, I could not help myself.

Tennis, anyone?

Have any of you seen the tennis player Alexander Zverev?

He is 6’6” and very thin. He is often dressed in “zebra stripes” and has very long arms. He is 19 years old and has been making quite a name for himself at the French Open in Paris.

My sister Catherine and her husband Jan Ghys are avid tennis players on the Bluffton-Hilton Head circuit so I have to keep up on these things to shock them.

This story was originally published June 1, 2016 at 10:56 AM with the headline "‘Global’ art project has a Lowcountry connection."