Those who appreciate the technique, artistry and mystery of drawing will find work by the eight artists, all from the Mid-Atlantic region, in the "12th National Drawing Invitational: Outside the Lines" exhibition at the Arkansas Arts Center stimulating, perhaps a bit startling. But boring? No.
Especially after viewing Philadelphia artist Laura Ledbetter's superlative constructions of cut paper, pencil and thread on paper.
George and Paul, like several of her works, amuses at first, as a Monty Python animation might. Tiny human figures try to navigate the precarious constructs. They emerge as a metaphor and commentary on life -- personal and societal -- after the economic near collapse that led to the most recent recession.
The desire to progress in a world that is balanced and stable -- a modern delusion -- is undone; everything is at risk as platforms, sheep, limbs, lines and other shapes mirror the fears that one wrong move will make everything collapse. Fear of change and cynicism color hope and dreams, while making relationships and one's upward mobility questionable and more treacherous. We feel powerless; our confidence is shaken. Someone else's move may bring us down with them. A hand extended (as on George and Paul) arouses suspicion.
Even in pieces where there is no obvious human form, Ledbetter's context is unmistakable.
Mia Rosenthal's wonderful ink on paper Life on Earth depicts the circle of life in a flowing, somewhat whimsical style that labels each part -- whether virus, plant, animal (such as Enviropig) or human form. It's an absorbing work by the Philadelphia artist that entertains and stimulates.
Nigerian-born Victor Ekpuk's dis Amsterdam Life will intrigue fans of Keith Haring's work. But it sets an original path with its mix of multicultural symbols; it would seem Ekpuk has created somewhat abstracted modern pictographs in this lively work.
Ekpuk will create an abstract drawing on the gallery wall 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 21 and 22, and present a talk at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 21 in the Lecture Hall at the Arts Center.
When approaching Washington artist Ian Jehle's work, especially The Collectors, one can feel almost like an intruder. There is only white in the background of this large-scale work, so our eyes are immediately drawn to the couple in the midst of a kiss, oblivious to our intrusion.
Sharyn O'Mara's three ink on Mylar New York Times Drawings: Untitled present newspaper stories with most of the words dropped out, so we focus on what she left in -- words about the loss of human life, how it was lost. The work by the Philadelphia resident demands a response: What do we feel when we see these words and why? Do we shrug off others' misfortune?
Patterns, textures and colors in nature inform Washington resident Andrea Way's drawings. Lavender Field suggests the pattern of topography and an aerial view of farmland, while Grey Lagoon shimmers and ripples on the surface, while underneath is a tile-like pattern; it's logical disorder atop order.
Linn Meyers' intriguing and intricate ink on Mylar works flow and undulate; Untitled brings light into the darkness, while Untitled, 3 Preparatory Drawings for The Phillips Collection reveal spider and kaleidoscopic patterns by the Washington artist.
Perhaps most startling, visually, is the scale of Baltimore resident Gary Kachadourian's works. His drawings mimic reality by tapping the ordinary and familiar -- an ATM machine, tree branches, a Dumpster. Often working from a photograph, he draws the objects and, using copying technology, makes the drawings the same size as the original object. Installing the outside on the inside, his large-scale drawn scenes definitely affect our perception of everyday objects most of us take little notice of.
"12th National Drawing Invitational: Outside the Lines," through Oct. 5, Arkansas Arts Center, MacArthur Park, East Ninth and Commerce streets, Little Rock. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Info: arkansasartscenter.org or (501) 372-4000.
APPEALING "INDIGO"
Hearne Fine Art's group show of 25 Arkansas artists, "Indigo Visions," has a number of appealing works.
None more so than the wonderful drawings of Aj Smith and Marjorie Williams-Smith.
As you enter the gallery, two of Smith's larger-than-life graphite pencil portraits of a boy and girl flank the entrance. Montre seems reserved, perhaps wary, while the radiant Lil' Kim is warm and engaging.
Williams-Smith's Rose Study on Black and Rose Study on Black II are fascinating. She uses silverpoint, copperpoint and aluminumpoint on black gesso to create two works of subtle beauty.
Also exceptional is Rex DeLoney's Widening the Window, a portrait of a young black man looking out a window that seems as much an escape route as metaphor. The young man's hand firmly clutches the strap of a backpack, his face is determined, perhaps to escape his present circumstances. The backpack he clings to may contain a passport to the future ... his schoolbooks. DeLoney, who teaches at Central High School, is a past Delta Award winner at the Arkansas Arts Center's Delta Exhibition.
Henri Linton, recently retired from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, has three well executed Delta landscapes. The magnetic Delta Impressions #293 is especially moving, with beautiful brushwork enhancing the sky and clouds.
Also outstanding: Sylvester McKissick's art mobile of acrylic and wood, Sometimes I Think It Was Like That. The three-part mobile has African designs and scenes.
In conjunction with the show, a panel discussion titled "What Is the Catalyst of Your Creativity" is set for 3 p.m. Saturday, followed by an artists' reception at 5 p.m.
"Indigo Visions," through Aug. 30, Hearne Fine Art, 1001 Wright Ave., Suite C, Little Rock. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, by appointment Sunday. (501) 372-6822.
BRIEFLY ...
• New works by Marcus McAllister and Laura Fanning make a stop at Gallery 26, 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd., Suite 1, Little Rock, worthwhile. The show continues through Sept. 13. Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. (501) 664-8996.
• A reception for Bob Snider's "Painting in Provence" will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday at The Art Group Gallery, Pleasant Ridge Towne Center, 11525 Cantrell Road, Little Rock. His show hangs through Aug. 17. Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 1-6 p.m. Sunday. (501) 690-2193.
• An enjoyable drawing show by the Quapaw Quarter Figure Drawing Group hangs through Tuesday at Mugs Cafe, 515 Main St., North Little Rock.Hours: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday. (501) 442-7778 or (501) 379-9101.
Email:
ewidner@arkansasonline.com
Style on 08/10/2014