Tag Archives: staff show

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: Mark Westman

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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.

Mark Westman, Mugshot 2016

Mark Westman

What do you do at The Phillips Collection?

Gallery Educator and Art Information Volunteer.

Who are your favorite artists in the collection?

Marsden Hartley, Arthur Dove, Herman Maril, and John Marin.

What is your favorite space within The Phillips Collection?

First floor galleries facing Q Street in the Phillips House.

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

Almost exclusively portraiture. I am drawn to faces that appear slightly disturbed (or disturbing). I do not consider myself to be an artist but I am working to become a painter.

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.