Journeying to "Dreamland"

 

This month, the University of Redlands department of Studio Art presents Dreamland, an exhibition of prints and video works by Penny McElroy.

A mixed media artist, graphic designer and Professor of Studio Art at University of Redlands, McElroy developed the exhibition during her recent sabbatical.

Many of the pieces are machine-produced through risography, a decades-old printing technique enjoying a resurgence among contemporary artists. Popularized by the Japanese company Riso in the 1980s, risographs are known for their vibrant, sustainable inks and economical production value. Many printers, churches and schools came to rely on risography in the era before affordable desktop printing; in the digital era, the method has evolved into "an equally modern and nostalgic experience." [1, 2]

Other pieces involve paintings on translucent rice paper pressed over a video background to produce a composite, continuously shifting image. Like the risographs, these works immerse the viewer in a drama of light and shadows. As bold colors intermingle, McElroy's evocative titles invite viewers to contemplate multiple layers of meaning.  

In her exhibition statement, McElroy relates her use of light and shadow to the many journeys that await her viewers - travel across time and space, or perhaps deep within oneself. "Shadow and light, inextricably linked - each necessary for the other to be. In dreamland, these are not opposite concepts, but rather more like the front and back covers of that favorite novel. When we enter it, we are immediately elsewhere..." [3]

Dreamland runs January 18 to February 6, 2022 at the University Art Gallery. The opening reception will be held Wednesday, January 26 from 4:30-6:30 pm. Face coverings and proof of vaccination are required in keeping with University of Redlands health and safety protocols. 

Sources

[1] Brown, Evan Nicole. "The Vintage Japanese Copy Machine Enjoying an Artistic Renaissance." Atlas Obscura, August 21, 2018, https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/risograph-machines

[2] "Hi, My Name's Riso, I'm Here to Help You!" Creative Review 32, no. 10, October 2012, 38-48. Art Full Text. 

[3] McElroy, Penny. Personal correspondence, January 17, 2022.

Raúl Acero's "Colecciones": Gathering Inspiration, Once Again

 

 

This week "Colecciones" by Studio Art Professor Emeritus Raúl Acero opens at the University of Redlands Art Gallery. Acero is a mixed-media artist who explores themes of time, identity and culture through simple techniques that embody centuries of tradition and innovation.

"Colecciones" draws together work from across Acero's career, including a series of sculpted clay heads, paintings evoking the history of indigenous people and works inspired by his own family. The concept for the show developed out of Acero's response to the pandemic, which struck while he was on sabbatical and has persisted beyond his retirement. Unable to access supplies and equipment needed to work in three-dimensional sculpture, he turned to drawing and painting and held his most recent exhibition, "A Maker's Life," as an online retrospective.

With the campus open again, "Colecciones" fully exploits Acero's ability to physically juxtapose his work in a gallery. Grouping his work into categories helped Acero articulate the coherence of his art and its relationship to current issues, such as the movements for social justice that gained momentum during the pandemic summer. In choosing to work with (relatively) inexpensive materials, to create practical objects, and to execute his concepts himself, Acero stands against dominant value systems of Western art, aligning himself instead with traditions of craft and figurative sculpture found around the world.

"Colecciones" runs November 16-December 12 at the University Art Gallery. The opening reception is Wednesday, November 17 from 4:30-6:30 pm. You can also view "Colecciones" online at https://www.redlands.edu/colecciones.

Student Sculpture Exhibit - Plaster and Rope

This Spring, the Introduction to Sculpture class has prepared two different types of artwork, one using rope and one using plaster.

An exhibit of the students' work is on display in the Armacost Library through April 16th.  A Reception for the Artists, open to all, will be held on April 2, 2014 from 10:00-10:45 a.m. in the second floor library lobby.

Repetition, Rhythm, & Rope

Students, working with partners, worked together to create a sculpture that uses the principles of repetition and rhythm as a focus. Additionally, the use of rope as their main material created special problems, which needed to be solved according to the ideas and developed forms.  Each group encountered problems that were structural and aesthetic, coming to solutions and decisions along the way. The resulting pieces reflect patience, innovation, perseverance, problem solving and excellent craftsmanship.

Rope Sculpture by: Carrie Jo Caffrey and Daniel De la Torre

Planar Sculpture Artwork

Students cast and carved plaster sculptures with several goals in mind; to learn to cast plaster keeping the integrity of the material so as to be able to carve a blank form and create a single sculpture of well developed planes, to make a piece considering the relationship of forms as they develop around the sculpture, and to work towards excellent craftsmanship. This is the first piece of the semester and represents students that are both non-art majors and art majors in an Art Studio Foundation Class.

ART 145 Introduction to Sculpture
Professor Renée Azenaro
Spring 2014

Student Art Exhibit and Reception

The Armacost Library is pleased to host a combined student art exhibit of Two-Dimensional Designs and Sculptures!

All of the artwork will be on display in the second floor of the library through November 14th.  The staircases to the third floor and the library lobby have been used to showcase a variety of Textural Design Studies: Pen on Bristol Board and Planar Sculptures.

Mark Mesrobian

INVITATION: Everyone is invited to attend a Reception for the Artists on Tuesday, November 5th from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the Armacost Library lobby.

Sculpture: exhibit installation 10-31-13

Reception for Artists 11-5-13

Professor Renee Azenaro

Studio Art

Fall 2013

Planar Sculpture Artwork - Spring Exhibit

Take some time to experience the new pieces created by the Spring 2013 Introduction to Sculpture classes!

Sculptures will be exhibited in the 2nd floor lobby of the Armacost Library through mid-April.

Students cast and carved plaster sculptures with several goals in mind; to learn to cast plaster keeping the integrity of the material so as to be able to carve a blank form and create a single sculpture of well developed planes, to make a piece considering the relationship of forms as they develop around the sculpture, and to work towards excellent craftsmanship.

This is their first sculpture created this semester and represents students that are non-art majors and art majors in an Art Studio Foundation Class.

New in March 2013 - Students in the Introduction to Sculpture class, both art majors and non-majors, created a three piece carved plaster sculpture employing a three-dimensional principle of unity and variety.  Students worked towards abstract sculptural considerations of form relationship, negative and positive space, craftsmanship, and final presentation.  Other considerations of implied movement, rhythm, and balance were explored.  On display are sculptures representing the individual voice of each student.

Introduction to Sculpture

Prof. Renee Azenaro

Studio Art  Spring 2013

2-D Design Art

The two-dimensional design class develops their skills in designing through exploration of the elements and principles of design.  Students' understanding of composition, shape, value, texture, space and color are explored through various assignments.

The work on display in the Armacost Library are examples of these explorations.  Please visit the exhibits on the 2nd floor of the library until December 7th.

ART 132  2-D Design
Instructor - Renee Azenaro
Studio Art

Thirteen Sculptures

Students in the Introduction to Sculpture class have created a single three piece carved plaster sculpture.

Each student worked towards abstract sculptural considerations of form relationship, negative and positive space, craftsmanship, and final presentation. Other considerations of implied movement, rhythm, and balance were explored.

Starting November 2nd, the sculptures representing the individual voice of each student will be on display in the lobby of the Armacost Library.

Please join us for a reception to celebrate the artists on Tuesday, November 6th from 1:30-3:00 p.m. in the second floor library foyer.

ART 145 - Introduction to Sculpture
Instructor - Renee Azenaro
Studio Art