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Artwork in Rosewood Gallery: Pushing art, or the envelope?

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By Pamela Dillon, Contributing Writer 5:30 PM Friday, September 18, 2009

Enter one gallery space through the left door, and you’ll see a wide variety of art from the Rosewood faculty that is beautifully done, but somewhat familiar.

Turn instead to the right, and you’ll see works that are a little bit disconcerting. Presented by Donavan Widmer, the assistant professor of art (metalsmithing) at the University of North Dakota, the metal and mixed media assemblages address body ornamentation, pedestrian armor and transience.

“In general, I see the work as amusing because of the juxtaposition of materials and ideas,” said gallery coordinator Amy Anderson. “I really like the fly swatter because of how he used expensive materials and labor intensive techniques to create a throw-away object.”

Widmer has taken familiar items and layered them with a veil of fear. Case in point — an ace bandage is reconstructed with chain mail armor. An old pocket knife is partially opened revealing small human figures dealing with economies that can be good and bad. The work is intricately done, and timely in today’s financial climate. The social ritual of bathing is investigated in his “Versus Study,” offering up two porcelain soap dishes, a dirty washcloth and an unusual addition.

“Within all of my work, I attempt to strike a balance between our moral and social flaws, as well as the persistence and integrity that constructively advances our culture,” Widmer said. “The images and objects are meant to be amusing, sardonic and peculiar.”

A visit to the adjoining gallery space reveals an impressive selection of Rosewood faculty works. Trish Jeffers-Zeh is presenting an eye-catching sculpture, “Quantum Paradigm Shift of The Solar Plexus.” The coil built stoneware shares a nod to the figural, as well as serendipity. Jean Ann Bolliger is showing her mosaic work of a female’s head with rivulets of broken-tiled hair. Sam Grillmeier has several pieces in the show. Two of the most impressive are hanging, copper foil, stained-glass designs. The color shadowing on the walls behind add to the overall visual effect.

Some of the works are the result of class projects. Other participating artists in the show are Todd Champlin, Greg Dearth, J. Austin Jennings, Tom Kinarney, David Kirschner, April Lemaster, Loretta Puncer, Leonard Williams and Sharon Williams.

“I am so pleased with the Faculty Show. It came about because of a cancellation by a solo artist,” Anderson said. “I love how all the randomness comes together and flows through the space.”