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Title Universal Penguin Has Stars in Its Eyes

Diana Ludwig Universal Penguin Has Stars in Its Eyes

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Artist Diana Ludwig. A fine artist and illustrator living in McDonald, Diana has exhibited in area art shows, including 22nd Women Artists: A Celebration (YWCA) at the Butler, 2003; 67th Area Artists Annual at the Butler, 2003; Angels for Animals Holiday Art Show & Sale; a set for Victorian Players productions; and galleries in Wisconsin. Her artwork has been accepted in juried shows such as the Invitational Salon Exhibition of Small Works 2004 in Kutztown, Pa. and Westmoreland Art Nationals Exhibition, Youngwood, Pa.
Media Acrylic paint, polymer and glaze
Sponsor A.S. Friedkin & Associates
Artist
Quote

“Celestial objects are painted in acrylics on the dark surface of the penguin, which were first given a coat of blackish, Prussian blue. Near stars & bright stars, nebulae and open clusters, globular clusters, other galaxies, clusters of galaxies and even the best known quasar will be labeled with their names and locations. The placement of these stars and deep-sky objects approximates a chart of the entire sky with the coordinates determined by the perspective of a viewer standing in Youngstown. The title of my penguin refers to four concepts and levels at once: The Universal Soldier is the title of an old folk song written by Buffy Saint-Marie in the early sixties about the Inevitability of War, referring to our present Middle Eastern travails. The Universal theme also refers to the starry universe that pervades our household. The material taught by my husband who works in YSU Physics and Astronomy Department. I am also referring to the fact that however hackneyed it may seem, or as critics may decry it, simply by living in Youngstown, it is the Center of the Universe from our perspective. From our perspective the world is revolving around us and at the same time we all need to have the perspective that there is an entire awesome universe falling away from us, waiting to be explored and marveled upon. Which brings us to the last concept: our university is full of youthful-minded students all hoping …to improve their lives or the lives of those around them. They have stars in their eyes!”