Arts & Entertainment

Residents' Artwork Part Of Olympic Exhibit In London

Charles Magistro and Zhiyuan Cong's artwork will be on display at a special exhibit in London beginning Wednesday.

Two Wayne residents’ artwork will be on display in London in connection with the 2012 Olympic Games.

Charles Magistro and Zhiyuan Cong’s artwork will be exhibited at Olympic Fine Arts 2012 at the Barbican Arts Centre Aug. 1 through 7. Both men are professors of art at .

The exhibit is designed to exalt the “spirit and ideals” of the Olympics, according to the centre. The exhibit features 500 items created by artists throughout the world.

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Magistro said his piece “Unity of People” represents the celebration of the human spirit and open competition.

“Its vibrant color and organic forms evoke the life-affirming qualities of the Olympics, where differences are set aside in the name of sports ability and fellowship,” Magistro said in a statement.

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Cong’s piece, called “Paradise,” uses simple form and shape to express masculine power and ability. It also has an element of social commentary.

“My work aims to portray an indispensible part of American life, namely, the sport of basketball,” Cong said. “I hope that people will see the dynamics, the rhythm, the quick pace, and life in our contemporary American society.”

Magistro began teaching at William Paterson in 1976, Cong in 1994.

Cong, a native of China, is director of the university’s Center for Chinese Art.

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