The Newman University Steckline Gallery will present “Two-Headed Beast” by Dustin Parker and Greg Turner as the eighth and final show of its 2014-2015 season. The exhibit will begin with a Final Friday reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 24, and will be on display through May 15. Both the reception and admission to the gallery are free and open to the public.
An “Art for Lunch” presentation by the artists will be held Tuesday, April 28 from noon to 1 p.m. in the gallery. A light lunch will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests can also bring their lunch. This event is also free and reservations are not required.
“Two-Headed Beast” features gritty abstract paintings and digital illustrations by Parker, editor and creator of Proteus Mag, and brightly colored paintings and found object assemblages inspired by the 1960s created by Turner. Turner’s bright colors and imagery are meant to sharply contrast Parker’s work to create a unique experience for attendees.
Parker has been artistically inclined since infancy, and as a child would draw images of dinosaurs and robots on his school assignments. Since earning his B.A. in Art from Friends University in 2003, Parker has become an accomplished painter, graphic designer, and digital illustrator who has participated in over 60 group exhibitions and 10 solo exhibitions since 2000.
Turner’s art is highly influenced by his upbringing in Redondo Beach, Calif., during the 1960s, where he attended the Art Center of Design and the Otis Art Institute. Turner has exhibited his work in various galleries including CityArts, Firehouse Gallery, and Fiber Studio. Turner is a founding member of the IDology, an artist collaborative, and he frequently exhibits his work with members of the collaborative.
The Steckline Gallery is located inside the De Mattias Fine Arts Center on the Newman campus, 3100 McCormick. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by appointment. For more information, call 316-942-4291, ext. 2199.
