Plymouth State University

Photos:

Penelope Bennett, Woman Reaching, etching

Jed Morfit, Interactions, cast iron and wax

PLYMOUTH, N.H. — Two exhibitions, one that considers observations of war, and a second that considers the human figure as a poetic spark, open at Plymouth State University Wednesday, Feb. 6 from 4-6 p.m.

The Lamson Library Print Series presents The Artist as Witness by Penelope Bennett, a printmaker from Vermont, Feb. 6–May 16.

In this series Bennett documents the consequences of war as displayed in the daily news. Her depictions of military brutality leave no doubt about her view of the deceit of political leaders.

Additionally, her etchings on industrial themes express the isolation that the individual experiences in today’s society. The images of naked flesh against steel pipes carry an implicit message of the toxicity to humankind of today’s industrialized world.

Bennett describes the modern print medium as “one of the most thriving, inventive and rich art forms.”

Standing on One Foot, an exhibition of works in a variety of media by four artists will be in the Karl Drerup Art Gallery Feb. 6–April 10.

Standing on One Foot, curated by Barbara O’Brien, presents the human figure as a “poetic spark.” How the human body holds and expresses states, both emotional and visceral, is an inspiration for the artists. “The works have the ability to make us intensely aware of our own body, while we find ourselves intellectually engaged with the ideas, concepts and history behind the works of art,” said O’Brien.

Artists participating in the exhibition are Kim Heejung, Lauren O’Neal, Jedediah Morfit and Barbara Grad. The media ranges from video sculpture (Kim,I Eat Kimchi…) to cast iron and wax, (Morfit, Interactions, and Cannonball); from etched Lexan (Grad, Almost Divine) to a tumble of clothing falling from drawings created directly on the gallery walls (O’Neal, Stretch Many Pants).

“It is my intention to create a virtual conversation between the work of art and the architecture of the gallery space,” said O’Brien. “… This small group show keeps the encounters with the work of art in the foreground. It is the conversation between work of art that interests me as a curator. The synergistic energy—the conversation between works of art—fascinates me. The viewer is the divining rod to pick up on the pulse of that conversation.”

The Karl Drerup Art Gallery is open Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday until 8 p.m. and by appointment.

Lamson Library and Learning Commons hours vary and are available online at plymouth.edu/library.

Both events are free and open to the public.

For gallery information call (603) 535-2614 or logon to plymouth.edu/gallery.

For general information about events at PSU, logon to ThisWeek@PSU at http://thisweek.blogs.plymouth.edu/.

For information about this release contact Betsy Cheney at (603) 535-2276 or via e-mail to betsyc@plymouth.edu.