Artwork by four Mississippi University for Women instructors is represented in the “Faculty Biennial Exhibition,” which runs through Oct. 23.
Faculty members represented in the exhibition include: Ian Childers, Shawn Dickey, Jim McAnally and Alex Stelioes-Wills. The exhibition is one of four installations as part of the Welty series.
Shawn Dickey features his trademark three-dimensional screen prints, this time inspired by 15th-century German writer Sebastian Brant’s book, entitled “The Ship of Fools.” The book, which is accompanied by woodcut illustrations attributed to Albrecht Durer, comments on irrational, sometimes aberrant behavior in society.
Drawing parallels between the world presented by Brant’s book and our current world situation, Dickey incorporates both contemporary and historical text with satirical imagery to respond to what he calls the “virus-weary 21st century.”
Alex Stelioes-Wills presents two enormous grids of drawings that represent Sudoko puzzles. “All of the non-objective drawings function as blank spaces,” explains Stelioes-Wills, “the places where you are supposed to find the answers.” Clues to those answers are found in the still-life drawings contained in the grid. As such, he invites the viewer to solve the riddles hidden within his arrangements.
This faculty exhibition will be graphic design professor Jim McAnally’s first. His work shows a range of interests from a humorous personal logo designs to photo illustrations and photography. McAnally’s artwork draws from a wide array of artistic styles and references.
Ian Childers on sabbatical this semester but submitted one large pot for the exhibition. He plans a series of these vessels, which he calls “solidarity pots,” in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
A virtual reception, in keeping with restrictions due to COVID19, is in the planning stage. For more information, email Dr. Beverly Joyce, gallery director, at [email protected].
Located in Summer Hall, Mississippi University for Women Galleries are open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. following the university calendar. The Galleries are free and open to the public.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.