Last weekend Chappell and I went to not one, but TWO awesome art shows, and the artwork I saw deserves a moment of written reflection. Seven amazing Towson University MFA artists (in the same program I am starting next week!) showed their work in a group show, “Feedback Loop” and had its closing reception on August 16, and Monica Ikegwu’s solo show “Extensions” just opened!

Upon entering the CA Gallery, I was struck by Rob Cook’s monochromatic gray, organic body of work. Using charcoal on paper, Cook’s art undulates across the surface, emulating smoke and wood rings of trees. The mystery of the drawing is only surpassed by the cast recycled aluminum sculpture, “Time’s Up” that the drawing inspired. The sculpture is truly a fantastic exploration of texture. The aluminum shape is organic, reminding the viewer of a tree stump, beached wood, or of large, old bones of an ancient creature. The medium-sized polished gray stones and tiny black crystals surrounding the aluminum focal point really point to the sense of multiple stages of this material perhaps breaking down. In his artist statement, Cook writes, “I am drawn to the unusual, the hidden, and the undisclosed. Inspiration for my art is found in nature while hiking in forests… I invite the viewer to get lost in the folds, curves, and recesses of my works.” The work does that and calls us to also consider the element of time, texture, and balance within nature.

Another artist in the show, Alexis Irby, creates sculptures out of found-objects. Each one is a unique conglomeration of plastic, wooden, and metal objects fused together to create new meaning and form. Irby says in her artist statement, “I highlight the mundane and overlooked parts of life through repurposing post-consumer objects. This brings a sense of absurdity and sometimes humor into my sculptures. My work leaves the audience uncertain of what they are looking at, inviting viewers to examine objects more closely, and to create their own personal meaning.” It’s true – upon looking closer, I found myself playing a sort of “eye-spy” game and pondering what connection the objects had to create a narrative within the work. The work is playful and fun and the detail in the work makes the work feel like you can always find something new within it!

Also in the show, suspended from the ceiling are beautiful, large, colorful screenprints done by Kari Miller, and her daughter, Ani. In their title card, they wrote a poem:

“To the politician voting on bills: My daughter deserves to be able to: receive an organ transplant/ receive all types of medical assistance when needed, /get married without losing income,/pursue her educational goals without restrain, / live her best, happiest, and strongest life possible / her worth should not be base don her life’s economic value to society. / Now vote to make her life as worth as all of your other constituents.”

Ani is a toddler with Down syndrome, and after talking with Kari, it was clear she had already fought more for her daughter than any parent should have to just to get her into a preschool that could accommodate her special needs. As an art teacher in BCPSS, I know first hand how some of my students with the greatest disabilities, are the most expressive and free when they make art, and it shows it their work. And it shows in Ani and Kari’ work. The paintings are so vibrant, energetic and playful; they immerse you in a world of mark-making, color, and layering. However, the tension the artwork is poignant – the chaos of a system that does not prioritize children with special needs, and having to courageously navigate that as a parent.

Similarly, on the opposite wall, Susan Isaac‘s fabric sculpture, “Entropy,” grabs the viewer’s attention with their bright colors and puffy texture. In her work, she creates watercolor paintings, scans the images, and has a fabric company produce textile with her images. She then cuts the fabric into organic, silly shapes and stuffs them with poly-fil, before arranging and hanging them on the wall. In her statement she says, “My art process is a joyous, frenzied dance while deconstructing the idea of ‘craft’ … The innocence of childhood and the fantasies of imaged places like enchanted gardens, Neverland, and old Disney movies” serve as her inspiration.

Last but not least is the beautiful installation by Erin Barry-Dutro. Her work is inspired by communities and social systems.  She values equity, justice, community, and humility. She is often uses bright and fluorescent colors, LED lights, and holographic materials. Two interesting things about her work is that it she invited folks from the community get their hands outlined on the rainbow fabric and the wall. Secondly, knowing the Feedback Loop Exhibition is in CA Gallery, right next to the Greenmount Cemetery, the bright neon pink architectural focal point is inspired by the cemetery’s stone arches. From the gallery space, looking through the windows, viewers can see these arches! Collapsing time and space, Erin invokes the arches as portals to situate the viewer in a deeper introspection of what it means to be standing in that historic neighborhood. It was meaningful to support other Towson artists and get to connect with them via discussion of their artwork. One of the main benefits of going to an opening or closing reception; you get to speak directly to the artists in the show! The Feedback Loop show is over now, but the show below is still on view.

Just down the street where Chappell and I live is Monica Ikegwu‘s show “Extensions” opening at Galarie Myrtis. This show is still on view so you can see it until September 21st! They are also offering a few events to chat with the local Baltimore artist, so definitely check out their website.

Most of the paintings in the solo show depict the duality of Ikegwu’s subjects, juxtaposing moments of calm, or seriousness, with times of confidence or joy. Ikegwu’s handling of the oil paint is really remarkable in how she is able to blend the different values of light into the skin tones and fabrics to create a very fluid, smooth feeling radiating from their gazes that match the viewer’s. That gaze is important; it’s very easy to judge someone or assume things based on appearance, so the artists dual-paintings invite the viewer really consider who they are looking at, and what they are trying to reveal in their choice of adornment, pose, facial expressions, etc. The other striking aspect is the bold, monochromatic color scheme in each of the works. The color is so vibrant and playful; it’s clear the artist is inspired by color to help further communicate the subjects inner world and felt sense.

I hope that reading this article inspires you to go out into your city or town, or even come and visit Baltimore, to check out the amazing art and artists who are creating work. Thanks for reading! ❤