Art Gym Gallery is excited to announce a members’ exhibition titled Story Lines. Story Lines explores the variety of ways artists use narrative elements to portray a concept in their work. The exhibition will be open from June 20 -July 12. Join us for the opening reception on Thursday, June 20 from 5-8PM.
Storylines drive many artists in their practice. Narrative tools are often employed to demonstrate the concepts the artist is trying to communicate. Story Lines brings together work by seven Art Gym members who utilize these tools in their art. Through metalsmith, collage, printmaking, and drawing, each artist uses literal and metaphorical lines in their work referencing stories, experiences, and ideas. Christina Hadwin explains in her artist statement, “when I create my pieces of work, I find myself completely lost in their world. A portrait of my favorite figures brings them to life as I watch their essence from under my fingertips emerging onto my canvas.”
After Too Much Thought, I’ve Decided Not to Be Alone by Art Gym printmaking member Mandi Quinn, is a good example of artwork using narrative to convey a concept. In the series, Quinn depicts social anxiety through a child in a foreign world using antiquated devices as defense mechanisms. She uses this story to illustrate her own experience while broadening the topic to allow the audience to relate. She concludes in her artist statement for the series “those who struggle with social anxiety must keep growing to love who they are and be more comfortable with others. After Too Much Thought, I’ve Decided Not to Be Alone was created to inspire storytelling amongst those in search of community.”
Story Lines will include works by Randy Burns, Valeri Clarke, Christina Hadwin, Marisa Cawthorne, Mandi Quinn, Kim Roberts, and Allie Sutterer.