Drawing Invitational
- Curated by John Ekstrom
- November 4 - December 11, 1998
John Ekstrom is well known among Parkland Art Students as the instructor who can draw the figure and make it look good, even on the blackboard. John organized a wonderful exhibition of drawings for the gallery. This exhibit focused on drawing as an art form, not as a preliminary step in developing ideas for work in another medium.
He brought together the work of 16 artists who were hand picked for their diverse selection of styles and subject matter. Some of his choices may have challenged preconceived ideas of what constitutes a drawing. There were works on paper as well as works on wood; drawing materials varied from graphite and pastels, to tar and torn paper. This exhibit showed expressive bold abstractions and painstakenly crafted realistic images.
"This is an exhibit that will knock your socks off, and really get you excited about drawing". While at first, the widely contrasting styles and images seemed overwhelming, the viewer then found this rich visual experience energizing. This exhibit showcased what is going on in contemporary drawing in all it's various manifestations; it illustrated that drawing is an expressive force in it's own right.
Participating artists included: Pat Andrea, Phyllis Bramson, Phyllis Edelstein, Richard Hull, Michiko Itatani, Wesely Kimler, Vera Klement, Daniel Leery, Ellen Lanyon, James McGarrell, Timothy Nero, Art Paul, Robert Schultz, Hollis Sigler, Ducan Webb and Nina Weiss.
This exhibit is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
Copyright Notice: All images and photos on these pages are copyright of the artists or gallery and may not be used for any purpose without written permission.
Artists Collecting Art
In most of our exhibitions, artists show works that they themselves have created. For the first time the gallery will focus on a different aspect; the artist as an art collector. We asked 18 local artists to select one or two pieces from their own art collection.
For those who are interested a photographic example that is typical of each of the artists work will be available in the exhibition notebook. The motivation of this exhibition is to learn what type of art speaks to those who are creators themselves.
We have asked each of the artists to share with us why they were drawn to the work on exhibit. Many of the pieces have meaningful histories and personal significance to the artist collectors. You will find it interesting and even surprising to see what some of our local artists have in their collections.Those of you who are regular patrons of the gallery, will be familiar with the names and work of the artists we have asked to participate in this unique exhibition.
The artists include: Gerald Guthrie, Glen Davies, Ron Kovatch, Sarah Krepp, Peggy Shaw, Roger Blakley and Cecilia Allen, as well as many of the Parkland Art Faculty. This exhibit really provides the viewer with a new perspective of some of our favorite local artists.
This exhibit is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
Copyright Notice: All images and photos on these pages are copyright of the artists or gallery and may not be used for any purpose without written permission.
Gerald Guthrie Solo Exhibition
This solo exhibition of Gerald Guthrie's miniature environments and computer prints is an intimate peek at the metaphoric twists of life. Guthrie mixes images from the world of Popular Science with the world of art. Inspired by the Dada and Surrealist movements he creates dreamlike scenes of the not so common commonplace.
Through his work Guthrie examines how science, once conceivable to the average person and viewed as a vehicle to a utopian society, has now become unimaginable for most people, taking on the appearance of magic.
Guthrie becomes the conjurer by creating ordinary scenes of home interiors that leave the realm of the commonplace with his visual slight of hand. Under his direction fans begin to dance and wallpaper peels away to reveal the amazing things that live behind the lath and plaster.
With these dreamlike visions he addresses how science and industry have become like a new western religion. In his statement, he explains that for science and industry to be effective on this level they must remain mysterious and magical. He himself has embraced an element of technology in his work with his use of the computer.
The limited edition prints on exhibit are created on the computer with graphic software, then printed with a commercial ink jet printer.
Guthrie is able to bring his magical interiors to life with his miniature environments. The environments are contained in fifteen inch cubes; a single peephole allows the viewer a glimpse into a realistically miniaturized room interior.
Lights and motors, activated by the viewer from a switch, animate unusual actions in commonplace settings.
While these images are amusing and recall memories of Fantasia, they also have an introspective side that tugs at the viewer. As Guthrie puts it, "Though there is also an element of humor in the work, it is the humor of nervous laughter, intriguing yet slightly discomforting."
Guthrie is an Associate Professor, School of Art and Design, at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He received his M.F.A. at the University of Illinois and his B.F.A. in Printmaking at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
This exhibit is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
Copyright Notice: All images and photos on these pages are copyright of the artists or gallery and may not be used for any purpose without written permission.
Cutting Through Tradition: Art Quilts
- Quilts by Deborah Fell, Judy Husband, & Mary McDonald
- May 20 - June 25, 1998
This exhibit featured the work of three local women who share a passion for Art Quilts and the expressive avenues this media provides them. The work by these artists is informed by the tradition of quilting that contains a history of beautiful, functional, intimate, and meaningful work.
Each artist addresses the tradition of quilting through the use of materials, scale, and technique while at the same time compelling the work to leave the realm of function to focus on personal expressions of meaning and creativity. Many of the Art quilts exhibited are in response to personal experiences, these events have provided a narrative developed within the piece, revealing personal symbols, growth and meaning.
The other theme in the exhibit is the experimental work that is being done with Art Quilts. You will see quilts that concentrate on abstract ideas, color theory, or respond to unique materials using a collage approach to the media.
Deborah Fell of Urbana, teaches Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders students at Urbana High School. She is founding member of Art Quilters of Central Illinois.
Judy Husband of Champaign, also has a background in education and is a former traditional quilter. She began quiltmaking in 1990. Mary B. McDonald also of Champaign, has a strong background in textiles and clothing having her own business as a designer and weaver of HandWoven Designs. In 1991 her interest shifted from clothing to art quilts.
This exhibit is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
Copyright Notice: All images and photos on these pages are copyright of the artists or gallery and may not be used for any purpose without written permission.