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Mexican artist Leonard Nierman, whose works are collected throughout the world, presented one of his tapestries to the USC School of Music April 20.
Mike Lash, director of the Department of Cultural Affairs in Chicago, also was on hand to dedicate the tapestry in honor of Dot Ryall, a Columbia resident and arts advocate.
The ceremony took place at 7 p.m. in the Koger Center before the USC Symphony Orchestra's scheduled 7:30 p.m. concert, featuring violinist Xue Wei.
The tapestry, titled "Autumn Melody," is a 9.75 feet-by-6.5 feet abstract of musical elements and instruments woven in jewel tones. It is valued at $45,000.
Ryall, a 1958 USC graduate, was director of the Richland and Lexington County Cultural Council for 15 years. She first met Lash when she saw his public art project, "Cows on Parade." Columbia was the first city to replicate the project, with Ryall, along with Marvin Chernoff, Columbia advertising executive and arts advocate, by introducing steel palmetto tree public art.
Nierman and Lash wanted to honor Ryall for her energy, initiative, and commitment to the arts with a gift to Columbia. Ryall decided to make the gift to the School of Music.
"I'm thrilled to be able to accept this gift for USC and the School of Music," said Ryall, who led the effort to have public art exhibited at the Koger Center. "It is most appropriate for the tapestry to join the other art in the lobby of the Koger Center for the Arts."
Born in Mexico City in 1932, Nierman is well known and highly regarded for his art. Individuals, corporations, museums, and galleries worldwide have his work on display. Among his many awards and honors are the Palme d'Or des Beaux Arts of Monaco and a Gloria Award in 2003 from the International Latino Cultural Center in Chicago. He became a Life fellow of The Royal Society of the Arts in London, and the City of Chicago proclaimed Dec. 19, 2002, as "Leonardo Nierman Day."
Nierman's love of music has been a guiding force in his art. He was once described as "a musician who paints," approaching painting as a composer, using colors, textures, and lights to create a symphonic effect on canvas.
"My contact with music gave me a certain harmonic point of view on life, and it may have helped me to see painting in a different way," Nierman said. "Music and painting are very much alike: both have tonalities, rhythms, high-intensity areas, and resting areas."
For more information on the School of Music tapestry, call Leslie Wrenn, director of development for the USC School of Music, at 7-5897. For more information on Nierman's art, visit www.rodingallery.com/nierman.htm.
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