Marietta Coll. Faculty Shows Art

By Patrick Garvey
The latest art exhibit in 2005 at the Hermann Fine Arts Center on the Marietta College campus showcased faculty artwork.

The first colorful canvas that caught my eye was the impressive size of Beth Nash’s Autumn Flower; it radiated a familiar palette. I could not help but compare the composition to the likes of abstract expressionist Willem DeKooning, with the subject’s head tilted slightly displaying her pure eyes; reminiscence of an artist’s typical interpretation of a Virgin Mary. The underlying conte-pastel mix (called “sauce”) with splashes of vibrant acrylic earthly hues over the parameter gives the piece a unique feel and breaks up the space. The other works by her are mostly portraits, many bare of color and free flowing nude visual renderings.

Another outstanding artist represented was Jolene Powell. She generally produces magical landscapes. Take Silent Sunset for instance. It is a 50” by 30”oil on canvas blazing with swirling oranges for the dominant upper thirds, embodying the softly violent, blossoming sky. On the bottom foreground there are slender sheaths of green grass helping to frame the atmosphere, usually a duck refuge, a secret backwater forming a stagnant pool or flat scenery with circles playing into the trees and underbrush. Powell surprised me with two small, silver gelatin pinhole photographs. Creek Trail is mysterious with its shady nooks and fading edges. The stream leads the viewer up a tight, almost claustrophobic unforeseen bend.

For Ron Wright’s Untitled #3, the canvas screams! It is unattached and representative of a primitive stained glass window, visually communicating a very active hand and mind. All of his creations are similar in the spontaneity of execution.

Christina Ullman’s digital illustrations are crisp and ornate. Cerus is triple framed with hovering flower arrangements spotlighting the face of a dolled up mannequin. Layering is a big part of this artist. Like any digital artist, Ullman heavily relies on the unlimited possibilities of the program used. There are creative aspects pleasing to the eye and the medium. Tapping with fingers is a good example of detaching yourself from the act of moving with the art. There were two commissioned pieces promoting education mixed into the lot. Although flat, Joseph Cornell’s collage ridden, shadowy boxes come to mind.

Jack Beauchamp was the three dimensional artist of the group. He displayed exceptional stoneware. Most pieces were raku fired with a copper luster. Browns and tans dominated his palette.

This exhibit allowed the community to view what the art instructors had been working on over the past two years while displaying a wide diversity of work. The exhibit lasted until December 9.

Upcoming exhibits include Unearthing the Form, paintings by Todd McGill and Ara Tanajian. It runs from January 28 to February 24. The Annual Student Show opens on March 3 and continues through April 7. Gallery Hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. - 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Hermann Fine Arts Center is located at 215 Fifth Street, Marietta, Ohio. Each gallery showing is free and open to the public.Exhibits are located on the third floor. For more information call (740) 376-4696.