STORRS, CT.- The Contemporary Art Galleries at the University of Connecticut present Nari Ward - Salvage Research Soul Training, on view through April 13, 2007. Nari Ward, 2007 Raymond and Beverly Sackler Artist in Residence, was born in St. Andrews, Jamaica and emigrated to Harlem, New York where he now lives and works, Nari Ward uses everyday objects to construct sculptural narratives with cultural and historical associations. His installations comment on a broad range of human experiences, from socio-economics to political hypocrisies to the contemporary state of spirituality.

Salvage Research Soul Training Project is a multimedia installation that includes wheelchair bound puppeteers and dance actions developed and performed by dancer, choreographer Ralph Lemon. It also consists of a naturalistic six-foot tall parrot puppet able to karaoke songs from the former Mansfield Training School Chorus and Band, and “parrot” a diatribe of quotes, statistics, official pronouncements, and personalized reflections. Ward's CAG exhibition explores notions of vulnerability, dependency, waiting, anticipation and resilience of the human spirit.

Ward possesses an extensive resume of artistic accomplishments. He has participated in exhibitions, performances, and artist residencies throughout the United States, Europe and Asia; including two Whitney Biennials, a Venice Biennial, Documenta XI and commissions for the United Nations and the World Health Organization. He has received prestigious awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, National Academy of Arts and Letters, Pollack Krasner,Bessie Award and a John Simon Guggenheim Foundation Grant.