Tag Archives: Museum Assistant

Staff Show 2017: Angela Silhan

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In this series, Manager of Visitor and Family Engagement Emily Bray highlights participants in the 2017 James McLaughlin Memorial Staff Show, on view through September 17, 2017.

Angela Silhan, Oblivion

Angela Silhan

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Angela Silhan. I am a student about to graduate from George Mason University, currently majoring in Art History. Art is a passion I have had since very young, that I hope to continue the rest of my life.

What do you do at The Phillips Collection? Are there any unique or interesting parts about your job that most people might not know about?

I am a Museum Assistant. A unique part of my job is learning about artwork in the museum every day and being able to relay that to visitors!

Who is your favorite artist in the collection?

Pierre Bonnard.

What is your favorite space within The Phillips Collection?

The Rothko Room.

What would you like people to know about your artwork on view in the 2017 Staff Show (or your work in general)?

My focus, in all of my artworks, is always women. I think the female form and face is one that offers diversity and a variety of options. My piece on display in the show, Oblivion, is one conveying emptiness and endlessness. The colors used are neutral, meant to make the viewer look deeper at the detail within the woman’s face.

The 2017 James McLaughlin Memorial Staff Show is on view August 3 through September 17, 2017.

Staff Show 2017: Jeffrey Whitelow

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In this series, Manager of Visitor and Family Engagement Emily Bray highlights participants in the 2017 James McLaughlin Memorial Staff Show, on view through September 17, 2017.

Jeffery Whitelow, “C is for Coca-Cola & Christenberry”

Jeffrey Whitelow

What do you do at The Phillips Collection? Are there any unique or interesting parts about your job that most people might not know about?

I’m a Museum Assistant and also part of the AV department. It’s interesting to see exhibits go from initial planning phase to actual show. I also enjoy meeting living artist who are in the collection. The only drawback is that when I go to other museums, I start counting how many security rules people break.

Who is your favorite artist in the collection?

Leo Villareal.

What is your favorite space within The Phillips Collection?

The Rothko Room. What many people see as just solid color in the paintings is actually, when examined, a blend of color with depth and texture. Spending hours in the galleries changes your way of seeing.

What would you like people to know about your artwork on view in the 2017 Staff Show (or your work in general)?

Last year sculptor, photographer, and painter William Christenberry died of complications from Alzheimer’s, which destroys the brain’s ability to remember. Yet his death caused me to recall the many times over the years seeing him personally visit the Phillips as an artist and a trustee on the board. He was always friendly, cordial: a real southern gentleman. I liked his sculpture but also really enjoyed his photography of the south. D.C. is a southern town in certain ways. Every summer I visit Richmond, Virginia, the former capital of the southern confederacy. Last year I took a picture of a barbershop store front with a Coca-Cola sign. I took another one this year. Christenberry also liked to take multiple images of the same thing over time. Richmond has a certain southern charm and pace of life that D.C. is starting to lose because of gentrification. The Coca-Cola sign and the corner here reminded me of Christenberry’s photos.

The 2017 James McLaughlin Memorial Staff Show is on view August 3 through September 17, 2017.

STAFF SHOW 2016: JEFFERY WHITELOW

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In this series, Education Specialist for Public Programs Emily Bray highlights participants in the 2016 James McLaughlin Memorial Staff Show, on view through September 19, 2016.

Jeffrey Whitelow sCrMbLd

Jeffrey Whitelow, “sCrMbLd”

 

Jeffrey Whitelow

Jeff Whitelow

Jeffrey Whitelow, “School portrait”

What do you do at The Phillips Collection? Are there any unique/interesting parts about your job that most people might not know about?

I’m a Museum Assistant and also part of the AV department. It’s interesting to see exhibits go from initial planning phase to actual show. I also enjoy meeting living artist who are in the collection. The only drawback is that when I go to other museums, I start counting how many security rules people break.

Who is your favorite artist in the collection?

Leo Villareal.

What is your favorite gallery or space within The Phillips Collection?

The Rothko Room. What many people see as just solid color in the paintings is actually, when examined, a blend of color with depth and texture. Spending hours in the galleries changes your way of seeing.

What would you like people to know about your artwork on view in the 2016 Staff Show (or your work in general)?

The view is looking into a window of a hotel lobby that has reflective blinds that are also transparent. You can see straight through and behind you at the same time. I used photo editing to enhance some the colors. I had never tried to alter a photograph before but was pleased with the results. When I look at it I think about how in cubism, multiple perspectives are going on all at the same time. I also thought of Leo Villareal’s piece Scramble with LED lights constantly in motion. When people look at the work, some say it’s a kaleidoscope; others think water. I got a Gerhard Richter comparison. The most bizarre comment was from someone who thought it was taken at a strip club. It seems to serve as a Rorschach test for the viewer. It’s an intersection moment for me.

Anything else about your work you’d like to discuss?

The relationship between music and visual art has always been of interest. I might hear some music which makes me wonder what kind of visual image would go with it. This can also work in reverse.

The 2016 James McLaughlin Memorial Staff Show is on view August 14 through September 19, 2016.