Submitted Photo Lino Azevedo’s mixed media pieces were created as a response to entertainment driven, reality-TV culture and politics as a critique on the nature of our society in the digital age. His art will be showcased in a new exhibition titled “Lobotomy,” at Minot State University’s Northwest Arts Center.

The Northwest Arts Center at Minot State University will begin presenting a new exhibition on April 1. “Lobotoby,” created by Williston pop-surrealist painter and professor Lino Azevedo, was created as a response to entertainment driven, reality-TV culture and politics as a critique on the nature of our society in the digital age.

“Lobotomy” will be featured in the Arts Center’s Walter Piehl Gallery through April 30 alongside the MSU Juried Student Show. Azevedo’s paintings include tattooed and scarred portraits, subjects consumed by social media, and works showing the transformative and subversive nature of digital technology.

“With a noticeable lack of critical thinking and civil discourse, I am compelled to hold a mirror up to our society to show how we have lobotomized ourselves,” says Azevedo. “Turn off the television. Put the smart phone down. Engage. Think. And, by all means, revisit real conversations with fellow citizens.”

Azvedo was encouraged from a young age to create art and this led to him developing a passion for guiding other artists. He pursued an MFA from Wintrhop University in South Carolina and has taught at colleges and universities in North Carolina, California and is currently teaching at Williston State College.

Lino and Jamie Azevedo will also be guest jurors for the MSU Juried Student Show on April 5. Representing mixed media painting, photography and collage, the two will bring a dual perspective to selection for the student exhibition.

All Minot State University students are able to enter the juried show, which has been a campus tradition since the early 1980s.

In addition to co-jurying, Azevedo will be speaking to the Minot State Art Seminar course on April 5 from noon to 1 p.m. The Art Seminar presentation takes place in Aleshire Theatre within Hartnett Hall at Minot State, and is open to the public.

A reception with the artist will be held April 5 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

In conjunction with the Juried Student Show, the event will include a jurors’ talk by Lino and Jamie Azevedo, an awards presentation and live music by Songbirds of North America.

Both exhibition and reception are free and open to the public.