Experience Art Inspired by Food at the Palo Alto Art Center

Published on January 08, 2024

In Feast or Famine Explores Diverse Perspectives on Food Through Art

Chelsea Ryoko Wong, A Modern Feast, 2022, acrylic on canvas, 60 x 48 in., Courtesy of Pat and Kimberly Lin

PALO ALTO, CALIF. — The Palo Alto Art Center is pleased to present the exhibition In Feast or
Famine, Jan. 20-April 6, 2024. Featuring the work of 24 artists from throughout the region and
country produced in a wide range of media, the exhibition celebrates the power of food to
connect us to identity, culture, and each other.

Part of a 2023-24 series highlighting artistic approaches to the subject of food, guest curator
Marianne McGrath describes In Feast or Famine as exploring food as story, symbol, and
sustenance. The exhibition investigates the intersection of food and art, as well as our human
inclination to assemble around food with family and friends. Beyond the dining table, working
together with food is essential in every community, from the fields and farms to the
marketplace and kitchen. McGrath shares, “In the kitchen, for non-artists and artists alike,
preparing food is mode of creativity that almost everyone practices daily. Food might be our
first introduction to “making” something with a process, specific materials and intended
outcome, like art. A recipe, menu or meal can be a medium to open the door to self-expression,
shared community, and new cultures.”

In Feast or Famine presents drawings, paintings, printmaking, photography, sculpture, collage,
installation and video. Artists consider our connections with food within the contexts of history
and memory, identity and community, food equity, agriculture, and our environment. From
connecting us to our sources of food, to creating awareness about unique cuisines, culinary
accoutrements, and customs, artists help us learn about each other, gain appreciation for our
differences, and grow closer through our shared nourishment from both food and fine art.

Artists in the exhibition include: Eva Aguila, Abiam Alvarez, Suhas Bhujbal, Christy Chan, Kim
Cogan, Frederic G. Cooper, Reniel Del Rosario, Colette Fu, Alonsa Guevara, Liz Hernandez,
Stefanie Herr, Jeanne F. Jalandoni, Narsiso Martinez, Thien Pham, Cooper Salmon, Gregg
Segal, Leslie Lewis Sigler, Lucy Stark, Kirsten Stolle, Wayne Thiebaud, Chelsea Wong, Connie
Zheng.

In Feast or Famine is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

COMPANION MEETING ROOM EXHIBITION:
In conjunction with In Feast or Famine, the Art Center will present a companion exhibition, We
Are What We Eat, in our Meeting Room space from Feb. 3- March 31, 2024. This presentation
highlights food traditions from Palo Alto’s eight sister cities, through photography, drawing, and
more. The exhibition is presented in collaboration with Palo Alto’s Neighbors Abroad, a
nonprofit, all-volunteer, civic organization affiliated with Sister Cities International and the City
of Palo Alto.

ASSOCIATED PROGRAMS:

Friday Night at the Art Center Opening Celebration—Friday Jan. 26, 6-8 p.m., FREE, Palo Alto
Art Center
Celebrate In Feast or Famine at a special opening celebration featuring hands-on art activities
and specialty cocktails at a cash bar provided by the Palo Alto Art Center Foundation. Palo Alto
Art Center Foundation members may join early for a preview at 5 p.m.

In Feast or Famine Virtual Artist Panel—Thursday, Feb. 22, 6-8 p.m., FREE, Zoom

Hear from artists in the In Feast or Famine exhibition about how they find inspiration from food
and join them in conversation with community food leaders about how food helps to build
community.

Family Day—Sunday, March 24, 2-4:30 p.m., FREE
Join us for a day filled with family-friendly art activities inspired by food and the current
exhibition In Feast or Famine.

About the Palo Alto Art Center:
The Palo Alto Art Center is your place to discover art, activate your creativity, and expand your
community. Created by the community, for the community in 1971, the Palo Alto Art Center
provides an accessible and welcoming place to engage with art. We serve approximately
150,000 people every year through a diverse range of programs.

The Palo Alto Art Center, Division of Arts and Sciences, Community Services Department, City
of Palo Alto is funded in part by grants from the Palo Alto Art Center Foundation. The Palo
Alto Art Center Foundation gratefully acknowledges support from the David and Lucile
Packard Foundation, Skyline Foundation, Acton Family Giving, private donations, and
members.

In-Feast-or-Famine-Press-Release-Final.pdf(PDF, 265KB)