Art Exhibition: A Shared Territory in Imagination: Three Artists in Abstract at the Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts
Exhibition Dates: May 1 – June 5
EXHIBITION SUMMARY
Three artists united by a shared language of abstraction explore form, color, and rhythm through distinct yet complementary visions. Together, their works reveal the endless possibilities within non-representational art—they span a wide spectrum from random to intuitive to geometric, filling the space with color and movement. Matthew Kowalski is a musician, author, and artist who creates mixed-media paintings that often utilize found objects as a printing medium. Using a cold-wax-and-oil technique, Patty Roberts’ work represents a myriad of emotions, ranging from anxiety and grief to love and joy, reflecting her background as a grandmother and chaplain. Wes Thorn’s work is shaped by a lifetime of craftsmanship. He fashions acrylic-on-wood pieces to create vivid, bold mosaics. The exhibit is a dialogue of balance, tension, and harmony that invites viewers to see beyond the visible. While the artists share the language of abstraction, what they express is distinct.
Shared Territory
The exhibit began with an opening reception on Friday, May 1, followed by an Artist Talk on Saturday, May 30, at 2 pm. These events are free and open to the public.
ARTIST BIOS:
Matthew Kowalski is a musician, author, and artist who creates mixed-media paintings that often utilize found objects as a printing medium. He takes satisfaction in the fact that he is using society’s discards to make art. Matt describes his process as generating a kind of cacophony of form and color, from which beautiful order and vibrant images emerge.
Kowalski
Patty Roberts describes herself as an artist, grandmother, retired chaplain, and proud crone. Her artworks are spiritual, inspired by our natural environment and the challenges it faces. She uses a cold-wax-and-oil technique, attempting to create images that bring order to chaos. Patty’s artwork captures a myriad of emotions, ranging from anxiety and grief to love and joy.
Roberts
Wes Thorn is an artist whose work is shaped by a lifetime of craftsmanship, mechanical curiosity, and industrial labor. He came to art after encountering the paintings of Mondrian, which opened the door for him to abstraction and to the power of color and form. Wes uses acrylic on wood pieces, arranging them into a kind of mosaic, using geometry, color, and contrast to create vivid, bold artwork.
Thorn
Location:
Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts, 540 S. Lake St., Gary * www.millerbeacharts.org * 219/885-9114
Gallery Hours:
- Tues – Sat. 11am – 2pm
- Sundays 2 – 4pm
- Closed Mondays