The Show Must Go On!

Jeanne Bjork Apron InstallationThis past week and a half was the ultimate rollercoaster.  I love the rollercoaster so I guess you could say I loved this past week.  It was the final week of my master’s work and we spent the entire week hanging the exhibition.  Saturday night was the opening.  We saw well over 300 people walk through the show.  The exhibition called, Variations, was a big hit on many levels. It is on display through Saturday May 5th and open to the public daily from 11:00-4:00 at Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, WI.  Each artist featured had a very different approach to their work, making for an eclectic and varied display.  Dave Cicero, created an installation piece that was built outside the arts building.  It featured tons of newspaper, cement, sand and an Andy Goldsworthy-esque vessel/design on the inside of the structure.  People delighted in entering the space.  Dave overcame many obstacles to build the enclosure and was truly inspiring to watch work.  Laura Rehorst opened the show as you first walked in.  Her highly detailed intricate metals pieces called to mind many questions.  The works were metaphorical and made one feel there was so much more to learn about each one.  The pieces look beautiful hanging from the plexiglass mounts on the wall.  Carmen Bond provided the shock value in the show, surprising all with her fetus pie ceramic sculptures.  After talking to Carmen, and hearing her explanation for the works, they do make sense.  Her work challenged the viewer to look at things that are not pretty, but that express the life  experience of one who’s seen and done much.  Meagan Wiederhoeft’s colorful designs evoke the world of graphic communications, calling to mind the barage of imagery each of us is exposed to daily.  Her works were experimental, utilizing digital printing techniques on gel medium along with paint, collage and digital imaging.  The works vibrate on the back wall of the gallery, inviting the viewer to sift through all the information.  Jodi Brezinski’s installation calls to mind the dark recesses of the dream world we all inhabit at times.  Her dream journal chronicles nightmares and the not so pleasant images that recur in what should be her peaceful hours of rest.  The many written words on the walls of the space are most poignant and revealing, while the pillow with metal sculpted face reminds us of what lurks just beyond our conscious mind.  My work was the last or first that many visited depending on how they entered the gallery space.  The apron exhibit featured an exploration of my relationship with my female family members including, grandmas, mom and aunts.  I used silk organza and alternative photographic processes to produce the ethereal imagery of the aprons.  Cyanotype and Van Dyke Brown printing created ghostly imagery that called to mind the memories of those who’ve gone before.  The brown paper aprons pay homage to the grocery store that my great aunt, grandma and their mother and grandmother ran.  The simple materials have a rawness and honesty to them.  The inclusion of real aprons from my mom’s collection was somewhat last minute, but seemed to be one of the most popular additions to the show.  The sewn apron quilt displayed installation style on an antique ironing board was also a fine addition to the space.  The exhibition and the opening were an amazing experience.  Many friends and strangers expressed interest and admiration for a job well done.  I’m so proud of the whole group.  Blood, sweat and tears aside… the show is amazing.  Photos will be added soon!

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