The Lesbian and Gay Community Center is proud to announce the opening of "Body," a show of paintings by Keith Theriot on Sat., Nov. 8, 1997 from 6:30- 8:30pm.

Theriot returns to the Community Center with twelve figurative works in acrylic, created over the past two years. Combining brilliant color with expressive shapes and forms, for "Body" he represents the human figure in bold, muscular ways not as we would like to be, but as we are.

A native of St. Martinville, Theriot graduated from LSU in 1983 before spending some time in Manhattan. He has exhibited in New York, Baton Rouge, Washington, DC, and had a one man show at the Community Center in Apr., 1995. His works have been described as "mysterious and beautiful," "child-like and Matissey" and "going right to the heart or right to the jugular vein." He currently lives in the French Quarter.

"I have been painting for 33 years, since I was four, when my parent-no Santa Claus-gave me an oil paint set for Christmas," says Theriot. "The human figure particularly fascinates me. It is full of wonderful surfaces and textures that are very exciting to create with. I normally do not work from a particular model, although some of my friends and lovers can be found in my paintings.

"I use a stream of consciousness approach and attack a canvas with paint, create chaos and clouds, then search the figure or figures out. There becomes a soulful bond in the story telling that occurs. Whatever I am feeling strongly about will appear."

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of artwork from this show will be donated to the Community Center by the artist. The Community Center is located at 816 N. Rampart St.; call 504.522.1103 to confirm daily exhibit hours. The show will run through Dec. 5, 1997.

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