Visiting artist DeWitt Godfrey gives a new meaning to the art exhibit by focusing on the process of making art in his current showing at the Ohio University Art Gallery.
Godfrey, associate professor of sculpture and director of the Institute of Creative and Performing Arts at Colgate University in New York, is best known for his large, abstract sculptures of circular, weathered steel that draw from his training as an architect. But for this exhibit, Godfrey changes directions and shows the process behind his structures.
"I have seen DeWitt's work and was interested in bringing him and his work to the galleries," said Petra Kralickova, curator of the Kennedy Museum of Art. "In keeping with the missions of Ohio University's galleries, it's important to bring art to the region that can not otherwise be seen or found unless you travel to a larger city such as Columbus or Cleveland."
His conceptual renderings not only show his architectural background, but also portray the link between form and context that includes the material, process, place and collaboration that go into one of his sculptures. The drawings on display include Godfrey's sketch titled "Exchange (Greenwich South Proposal)" of his well-known stacked spherical designs in New York City's Greenwich Village. Viewers get a sense of its enormous scale because cars are depicted driving through it.
"These preparatory drawings help the artist better realize the project and think about the scale, material, funding, viewers, environment among other aspects," Kralickova said.
Included in the exhibit are drawings and a folio of work correlated to an upcoming installation at The Ridges, just next to the Kennedy Museum of Art. That installation will be completed in May 2011.
The exhibit also includes graphite drawings of blocks, showing the artist's signature style and message on how shapes can fit together to create something lucid.
The Ohio University Art Gallery is located on the fourth floor of Seigfred Hall. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday. Admission is free. Visit www.finearts.ohio.edu/art for more information.
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