The Language Within Us opening soon at the Burchfield Penney

New Art Exhibition by Muhammad Zaman and Michael Mandolfo Celebrates Language and Unity 

Buffalo, NY– April 12, 2023 – A new art exhibition entitled The Language Within Us is set to open at the Burchfield Penney Art Center on Friday, April 14, 2023. This multimedia installation aims to explore the power of language and how it can unify people from all walks of life. 

The Language Within Us is a collaborative project by painter Muhammad Zaman and photographer Michael Mandolfo. The exhibition explores the intricacies of human communication and identity through the medium of language. Zaman's painted fabric, featuring intricate calligraphic symbols, serves as the focal point of the exhibition, with photographs, audio recordings, and video projection of participants expressing language through Mandolfo’s multimedia approach. The result is a multisensory experience that is both dynamic and profound. 

The goal of the exhibit is to bring attention to the impact of language on our daily lives, particularly for those who have experienced oppression, isolation, and misunderstandings. Through their art and narratives, the artists hope to encourage visitors to reflect on their own relationship with language and to consider the importance of open communication and understanding. 

"We are excited to host this exhibit that celebrates the diversity of language and the power it has to connect us all," said exhibition curator Heather Gring. "We hope visitors will be inspired to think about their own experiences with language and engage in meaningful dialogue with those from different backgrounds." 

The Language Within Us has been made possible through the generous sponsorship of The John R. Oishei Foundation; The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation; Ms. Shelley C. Drake in memory of Dr. Kenneth C. Drake; and Dr. Steve Lakomy & Ms. Cheryl Lyles, with additional support from Mr. Joseph Curatolo, in memory of Anthony Diina. 

The Language Within Us will be on view from April 14, 2023, through September 30, 2023, at the Burchfield Penney Art Center located at 1300 Elmwood Ave Buffalo, NY. 

An opening reception will be held on M&T Second Friday, April 14, 2023, from 5:30 – 8:00 pm. For more information, please visit www.burchfieldpenney.org or contact the Center at 716-878-6011. 

ABOUT THE BURCHFIELD PENNEY ART CENTER 

Established in 1966 on the campus of SUNY Buffalo State, the Burchfield Penney Art Center is dedicated to the art and vision of renowned American artist Charles E. Burchfield (1893–1967) and the art and artists of Buffalo and our region.