The Newman University Steckline Gallery will present “Upon Further Inspection” and “Carved Porcelain” by Ryan Harjo, Dane Jones, and Natalie Brown as the fourth show of its 2011-2012 season. The exhibit, which begins with a Final Friday reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25, will be on display through Dec. 16. Both the reception and admission to the gallery are free and open to the public.
An “Art for Lunch” presentation by Harjo, Jones and Brown will be held Tuesday, Nov. 29 from noon to 1 p.m. in the art gallery. A light lunch will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests may also bring their lunch. This event is also free and reservations are not required.
“This body of work is an interpretation of identity from both a social and self-perceived context,” said Harjo. “Part of our identity is based around social perceptions – how we view others and how they view us. As well, this work focuses on our own self-perception. Based, in part, on what we do, whether through occupation or ability, what we look like, where we come from, or our individual personality, it is a self-assessment of who we are. It is the need for acceptance, as an external component and as an internal desire, which is the primary driving force behind this work.”
“My work derives from searching and finding something that could be responsible for opening new ideas or thoughts on old aspects of history,” said Jones, who received a bachelor of fine arts degree in sculpture from Emporia State University, and a master of fine arts degree in printmaking from Wichita State University. “I would like the viewer to be mindful of one’s own environment and existence. A narrative experience whether true or fictitious, tends to exercise the elements of my art. Components of life, friends, and family also occupy the surroundings and make their way in to the artwork. I believe in knowing history but also researching and questioning it.”
“I choose simple and elegant forms, providing a clean canvas of porcelain for my carvings,” said Brown. “The root of many of my designs is a love of nature, with patterns derived from the lines occurring in the folds of the flowers and edges of leaves. I enjoy optical illusions where one shape seems to flow in front of another and yet at the same time twists behind it. The use of celadon glaze enhances these subtle patterns and forms a link to water and its moving ripples. My pieces are intended to create a calming meditation on the beauty around us, so we can reflect upon what is truly important in our lives.”
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.
