NEWS RELEASE [22 February, 2017] FRED JONES JR. MUSEUM OF ART UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA - NORMAN CONTACT KATHLEEN THOMPSON, Public Engagement and Communication Assistant, 405-325-2297, kathleenm.thompson@ou.edu FAX: 405-325-7696 www.ou.edu/fjjma FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE With Image Abstract Artist Poteet Victory to Lecture at Museum Feb. 28 NORMAN – Native Oklahoma artist Poteet Victory uses symbolism and color to distill figures to their simplest forms that result in abstract works with hidden meanings. He will discuss his process in Finding Originality, a public lecture set for 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. A reception will follow the lecture.

Victory’s work currently is on display at the museum in the exhibition Abbreviated Portrait Series, where iconic celebrities such as Prince, Marilyn Monroe and the Beatles are reimagined as minimal, abstract designs. The artist has long been fascinated with Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell, Wassily Kandinsky and others who explore the power of symbols and colors. Victory’s portraits employ common mental cues or triggers generally associated with popular personalities, the titles of which are abbreviated in a manner similar to common acronyms.

Born and raised in Idabel, Oklahoma, Victory was mentored by Harold Stevenson, a controversial artist whose work also can be seen in the museum’s collection. Victory’s artistic career has spanned 30 years and multiple states, but the artist strives to stay in touch with his Southeast Oklahoma roots. His studio is located in Santa Fe at the McLarry Modern. The lecture and reception are complimentary. The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art is located in the OU Arts District on the corner of Elm Avenue and Boyd Street, at 555 Elm Ave., on the OU Norman campus. Admission to the museum is complimentary to all visitors, thanks to a generous

gift from the OU Athletics Department. Information and accommodations are available by calling (405) 325-4938 or visiting www.ou.edu/fjjma.

### Image Credit: Poteet Victory (U.S. Cherokee/Choctaw; b. 1947) PRNC [detail], 2015 Oil on canvas, 48x48 in. Image courtesy of the artist