Collaborative Artists and Sisters Ruth Avra and Dana Kleinman travel to China to exhibit in the 2008 Beijing Biennale

Up and coming artists, Ruth Avra and Dana Kleinman were honored to represent the United States in the 2008 International Beijing Biennale running in conjunction with the Summer Olympics. As one of only six US artists invited, the sisters exhibited their work “Stripes x12” at the National Art Museum of China amongst selected artists from countries around the world. As guests of the government, the artists were treated to a stay at the famous Beijing Hotel, attended banquets with ambassadors from all over the world and escorted in luxury to many of the historic sites in and around Beijing. Dana reflects, “It was amazing to watch them close off an entire lane of the highway to escort the artists to the Great Wall. I have mixed feelings about this, but it is certainly interesting to see how we as artists were treated as important guests to the city”. The entire museum was dedicated to the Biennale and received a substantial amount of international attention. The opening reception was televised and only open to the artists, press, and ambassadors. “We even got asked for our autographs on the front steps of the museum. That was a first!” remarks Ruth. The Kleinman sisters have quickly gained momentum after starting the collaboration in 2006. The inclusion in this major international exhibition is surely a sign of what is to come. Both were practicing artists separately beforehand, yet are now committed to this direction. The work combines hand sanded metalwork and oil on canvas to create abstract wall sculpture often shown in multiple panel format. The sisters received great reviews at their first solo exhibition in Miami Beach and have a solo museum exhibition upcoming at The Las Cruces Museum of Art in New Mexico. Top to Bottom: Ruth Avra and Dana Kleinman in front of “Rectangles x 20”; “Stripes x 12”, piece chosen for Beijing Biennale; Opening reception at the National Art Museum of China; The artists received press in several countries including this news article from Lichtenstein (Dana pictured on right)