Muleskinner

Issue date: 1/25/07 Section: Features

Twisted - UCM's art gallery is now hosting two diverse collections. This work, titled, "Official Portraits: Proletarian," is by Hung Liu. The piece is a lithography and was completed in 2006.

There are two new exhibits in the campus Art Center Gallery. One is a showcase of paintings done by a faculty member while on sabbatical, and the other contains selections from the Hallmark Cards Inc., collection.

Christina Willey's sabbatical lasted one semester, allowing her the chance to participate in the I-Park artist residency program located in East Haddam, Conn. Her exhibit features work completed during this program, and work done here at UCM.
In her artist's statement, Willey said direct observation is the beginning step in her work.

"I try to distill the essence of what attracted me to the subject into my paintings, while also allowing the paint and surface to have their own voice," Willey said.

Michael Crane, gallery director, said the exhibit is only a sample of the work Willey did on sabbatical.

"This was faculty research for her," Crane said. "She only used three or four locations, but painted them at different times of day and year."

Emily Douglas, a freshman art education major, is impressed with Willey's work.

"All of the scenes that she created have extraordinary color to them," Douglas said.

"Looking closer to the pieces, her brush strokes and movements are simple, however, make such a big impact."
The other exhibit features work by 19 nationally and internationally renowned artists for Hallmark Cards Inc. These paintings are not greeting card designs, but pieces which sometimes hang in the company's corporate offices.

"None of the creative people from Hallmark were involved with these prints," said Ashley Ruzich, graduate assistant for the gallery. "These artists have works in major collections."

"Hallmark doesn't usually do this," Crane said. "It's a special opportunity which took their curator's time and effort."

"It's one of the most important shows we've had because of the artists involved," Ruzich said. "One of my favorite artists is Louise Bourgeois, and it's exciting to have one of her pieces here."

Crane said putting together a schedule of exhibits can be a creative process involving networking and developing resources.

Continued...

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