Still Homage

"Homage to Nanny Still," archival ink on paper, 2012.

This is the second in a series of drawings dedicated to designers best known for their work at mid-century. This composition is a spontaneous riff on Still's more recognizable motifs, shapes, and textures. Nanny Still was a Finnish designer working primarily in glass whose designs are most associated Riihimaki Glassworks. I find her designs seductive, rich of surface and color with unusual volumes and contrasting shapes.

Evans Homage

"Homage to Paul Evans," archival ink on paper, 2012.

The first in a series dedicated to the motifs of mid-century designers and artists, specifically those who moved so effortlessly between the two disciplines. American Paul Evans work was highly structured but his applications were incredibly freeform. I so admire what he achieved in his Sculpted Bronze and Argente series pieces. In a similar vein, I'm currently working on an homage Finnish glass designer Nanny Still and will followup with an homage to Japanese designer George Nakashima. Quick on this link to hear what author Todd Merrill has to say about Evans:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUK-7WX_NIs

Wrightiana in Mason City

Frank Lloyd Wright structures in Mason City, IA. Images from July 2012 taken while working as a guest juror for an area art exhibition at the MacNider Museum of Art.

Lilllies from the Fass/Deemer Farm

Beautiful hybridized lillies from the Phil Fass and Deb Deemer farm in Parkersburg, IA. The fields are vast and colorful and soul-invigorating! Photos taken 6/26/12 in high sun just before a lovely birthday lunch for Phil.

Esther Cheng Exhibition at HCA

Images from Esther Cheng: New Works in Watermedia at the Hearst Center for the Arts (HCA), Cedar Falls, IA, which runs from May 27 through August 19, 2012. Like the Developing Expressions exhibition I designed and installed this body of work in the main gallery of HCA, an exciting space that's only blocks from the UNI campus. Originally from Tiawan, Esther Cheng is a longtime resident of Cedar Falls who will be relocating to San Diego in the coming months. She will be missed by this community. Bon Voyage Esther! You make beautiful work.

Thanks to the administration at HCA for this professional development opportunity, especially Mary Huber, Luke Vaughn, Gail LeFlore, and the incomparable Abby Haigh.

Images from "Developing Expressions 2012" at the Hearst Center for the Arts, Cedar Falls, IA. I was contracted to design and install this K-12 art exhibition at the Hearst, a beautiful space with a lovely, collegial staff. I had great fun, and I'm looking forward to a future project with them featuring the watercolor paintings of Esther Cheng.

"Sweet Salvation II"

Link to TianWei Studios Vimeo page of this performance:
http://vimeo.com/38664080
Jiawei Gong performed "Sweet Salvation II" at the UNI Gallery of Art between Feb. 9 and Feb. 12, 2012, and the completed sugar painting was on view until Mar. 1, 2012 at which point students from the UNI Department of Art performance art class swept it up and poured into the Cedar River. Lovely work!