Published: Oct. 28, 2002

A photographer from Guatemala and a German ceramic sculptor will each present free public talks in November as part of the University of Colorado at Boulder fine arts department's Visiting Artists Lecture Series.

Luis Gonzalez Palma and Kerstin Abraham will speak on Nov. 5 and Nov. 12, respectively. Both lectures will begin at 7 p.m. in the Sibell-Wolle Fine Arts Building on the CU-Boulder campus, room N141.

Palma currently lives and works in Guatemala City. His photography evokes images of mystery, beauty and suffering, including the beauty and violence that have surrounded the history of the Mayan Indians. He's held exhibitions in Chicago, New York, Italy and Peru.

Visiting Artist Coordinator Valerie Albicker said that during the 1980s, young Guatemalans were greatly influenced by a deadly civil war that cost 200,000 lives. "Such terrorism invades all aspects of society, creating a culture of fear and silence. Palma is interested in capturing the silent communication of a look or gaze," Albicker said.

Abraham is based in Germany. She studied ceramics and sculpture with Gertraud Moehwald and Rolf Szymanski. Her work has been displayed at exhibitions in Belgium, Israel, Sweden, New Zealand, Portugal, Holland and various locations in the United States.

The CU-Boulder Visiting Artists Lecture Series has brought artists to campus for over 30 years. Contact Albicker at (303) 492-2539 for more information.