The
Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum will present the special exhibit
Past—Present—Perfect October 7, 2006, through January 7,
2007. Celebrating the Museum’s 75th anniversary, the
exhibit features 36 new works of art paired with pieces from the
Museum’s permanent collection. Ohio artists and craftsmen were
asked to pick an artifact from the Museum’s collection to use as
an inspiration for a new work of art. The recent works will
encompass an array of media and styles—ceramic, metal sculpture,
textile, furniture, watercolor, and photography, to name a
few. A diversity of collection pieces were chosen, from Ohio
prehistoric tools and points and American Indian basketry and
pottery to early Ohio textiles and tools and Japanese and
Chinese ceramics masks and robes.
The
results are not just remarkably crafted, impressive works of
art, but works that are thought-provoking and inventive.
For example,
Marilyn and Jerry Westgerdes, both professors of art at Ohio
University Zanesville, created dramatic pieces—Marilyn, a
vibrant Asian robe from stained glass and Jerry, a striking
marble bench inspired by the shape of an Adena gorget
(prehistoric ceremonial carved stone). Sculptor Todd Malenke
forged a vessel from steel to echo the design of an Inuit ulu
(knife). Ken McCollum, Professor of art at Muskingum College,
etched an intricate black and white design on a plate-shaped
clay sculpture. Responding to the stark black and white design
on a 19th c. Pueblo effigy jar, McCollum incorporated
ancient drawing concepts on the plate’s surface.
From Athens, artist John Lefelholcz, formed a contemporary
quilt, 98 Koshare Soup Cans. Created from repeated
motifs of fantastical “watermelon soup” cans, his art is a droll
social commentary using as his muse the Hopi clowns or Koshares,
Gluttonous and Naughty, displayed in the Native American
Gallery. Koshares are an integral part of Pueblo society.
During dances these black and white striped characters portray
unacceptable behavior in an exaggerated way and provide
entertainment while reinforcing community values. Lefelholcz
also pays homage to Andy Warhol’s 100 Campbell’s Soup,
whose pop art of the 70s frequently used over-exaggeration to
depict a quirky aspect of society.
Past, Present,
Perfect,
is compelling
and unique, and promises to be an exhibit that brings together
the historical, as well as the artistic nature of the Museum’s
collection. Past, Present, Perfect is sponsored by the
Mary F. Taylor Family Fund.
The Ohio Arts Council
helped fund this organization with state tax dollars to
encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural
enrichment for all Ohioans.
