The art show features works by John Russell, Jim Wyatt, Nathan Clark, Ron Kelsey, and Keng-shen Tsui.
This exhibition represents the culmination of four years of thought, creativity, and work by these five men. An annual rite of passage for art majors, their works will be on display in the Eric Dean Gallery in the Fine Arts Center from April 14 through May 18, 2003.
John Russell says about his work, “Painting is sculpting paint. Like sculpture, it is the manipulation of material in space. These works question the once-held doctrine of flatness as a pure and essential component of painting by creating deep textures that display the actual thickness of paint.” Russell continues, “These paintings, somewhat more at home in a studio than a gallery, explore the processes of painting.” Russell is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Russell of Lafayette, Ind.
Jim Wyatt describes his work as an exploration of limitations in this way: “From my youth, I have always heard the phrase, ‘The sky is the limit.’ Although this phrase is intended to imply limitlessness, I realized that the sky itself is a limitation. Some limitations are more obvious than others, but all of these restrictions keep us from achieving the things in life that we aspire to. Questioning the unobtainability of certain dreams, visions, and goals can make one realize the true nature of these restrictions. I wanted my work to relate to the audience in a very personal way as they envision the barriers and restrictions in their own lives.” Wyatt is the son of Mike and Cathy Wyatt of Valparaiso, Ind.
Nathan Clark’s work is an exploration of chance and control. He states, “These paintings focus on the relationship between the random and the controlled, between chance and reason. The paint is applied by pouring or throwing a wash onto the canvas and the compositions are not predetermined. Each decision of where to apply paint is based on the one before it.” Clark continues, “I also mean in these paintings to act out an organic sort of growth, implementing my decision while conceding the independence of the paint. It seems there is an analogous process of creation in nature, determinism balanced by chance. Life is the process of engaging in a series of experiences, some occurring by chance and some occurring by our own volition.” Clark is the son of Kenneth and Joan Clark of Oreana, Ill.
In his paintings, Ron Kelsey hopes “to maintain an ongoing mystery with each delineated shape and form. New discoveries occur while selecting paint to be used, thickening the application, and allowing certain textural surfaces to remain. After applying various colors and pouring water onto the canvas, I enjoy watching the slow breakdown of the layered acrylic paint. In the process, the water and brush act as wind upon the rocks of thickened paint. Before the paint dries I continue to respond with further applications of water. The water naturally cascades down the canvas. Standing back, I observe the colors that are revealed and the open spaces that still remain. Overall, what is barely seen becomes the object of my imagination.” Kelsey is the son of Nancy Kelsey of Florence, Ky.
Keng-shen Tsui says of his work, “In this series, I attempt to express the surge of an intensely chaotic feeling spontaneously recorded on the bare canvas. The instantaneous and decisive execution of each stroke is essential, for it’s about a condensed feeling gushing out completely in a single moment, and I seek control over the feeling and moment.” Tsui is the son of Chiung-yu Kao of Crawfordsville.
The exhibit is free and open the the public. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.