NATCHITOCHES – An exhibition of solo work by artist James Zamora, a member of Northwestern State University’s Department of Fine and Graphic Art faculty, will open at noon Saturday, Feb. 6 at RO2 Art Gallery in Dallas.  Titled “Surprise,” the exhibition will feature abstract works, a departure from Zamora’s previous style of realism.  The abstract art was inspired by the freedom of creativity he observed in his children. The show will open with an artist’s reception and run through March 6.

“Can my soul and technique play together? This question has been on my mind as I watch my kids think through the creative process,” Zamora wrote in an artist’s statement. “Every time a child draws, they tap into their own sublime so readily. Their soul has not experienced a statement such as ‘you are not good enough’ or more passively ‘Maybe try this direction.’ Although it is important in life to experience these ‘negative’ situations to experience growth. I spent the past ten years devoted to practice. I knew I was not good enough by my own standards, and I wanted to feel worthy by devoting time to discipline and the idea of practicing. Every person wants to feel like they have a place and find something to which they devote their lives. Then there comes a point where the technique is no longer discovery, and the idea of play intervenes in order to let technique discover something new.”

Zamora earned his BFA in painting and drawing from The University of North Texas in 2010, then an MFA in painting from Texas Woman’s University in 2015. His work is exhibited nationally on a regular basis and is in numerous personal and public collections. Zamora’s work has appeared in several publications including New American Paintings West #114 and New American Paintings West #126. Zamora grew up in the small city of Graham, Texas. His parents immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico in the 1970s. Zamora joined the NSU faculty in August 2020.

Ro2 Art, a contemporary fine art gallery located in The Cedars Neighborhood near downtown Dallas, represents a diverse group of emerging, mid-career and established contemporary artists – many with ties to the North Texas region. The gallery, founded in 2010 by mother-and-son partners Susan Roth Romans and Jordan Roth, regularly collaborates with organizations such as The MAC and Cedars Union and maintains an exhibition program within the Magnolia Theatre at West Village and other satellite venues. Ro2 Art has twice been named Dallas Observer’s “Best Art Gallery” and was presented with the 25th Annual Obelisk Award for small business by the North Texas Business Council for the Arts.

The museum is located at 1501 S. Ervay St., Dallas.  Hours are noon-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.  Information is available at www.ro2art.com.