Notice the ‘angels’ all around you

Photo by Isaiah Teeny.

The Portland area has really grown into its own nationally recognized culture over the past 30 years. What better way to admire it than to visit a showcase of 48 street portraits of individuals who resemble the core of Portland’s culture? We don’t know anything about them, but it’s through the eyes of artist Michael Hoeye that we get a chance to admire those around us while living in a world that is becoming more and more self-centered.

The “Angels Passing” art exhibit is on display at MHCC for the month of October in the Diversity Resource Center, after being shown at the Portland International Airport and the Rose Villa retirement community.

This collection of art has been in the making for 10 years and still continues to grow as Hoeye puts his inspirations on paper to share with our local community. Fascinated by strangers he passes by, he aims to “capture the moment of an individual and be amazed by them, to feel enormous admiration,” he said during a visit to the DRC.

He also said, “There’s something mysterious art does that nothing else can duplicate.” Not only his paintings, but also his books, photography and choreography have taken him to New York, where he spent 16 years working a variety of jobs.

After having enough of the busy and oftentimes out-of-control life that New York brought him, he returned to Portland in 1991 to focus more on “smaller” business and sharing his art to people in a more personal way. It was here that he settled down and began to admire the unique culture that Portland proudly provides and to reflect that in his artwork.

To him, “Angels Passing” is a way to “help people notice each other and get to know each other,” he said. He describes his paintings as “like a self-analysis” of the heart of Portland that he feels is becoming less noticeable in a society where people spend more and more time on their phones. He hopes they can bring out the best in us and allow us to appreciate those around us without even knowing anything about them, he explained.

“Angels Passing” will only be at Mt. Hood through the end of October. Don’t miss the chance to feel inspired and connected in the community around you. Hoeye’s works of art are a reflection of who we are as a community, and that’s something that can help us all find admiration in ourselves and those we silently pass by every day.

The DRC, located in the rear of the Student Union, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Advocate Staff