Sarah Gross, assistant professor of art at the University of Kansas, will present her exhibit, "Continental Drift," in the University of the Ozarks' Stephens Gallery from Feb. 27 to March 31 as part of the university's Artist of the Month Series.
University of Kansas Assistant Professor of Art Sarah Gross will present her installation, "Continental Divide," in the Stephens Gallery from Feb. 27 to March 31.
There will be an artist talk from 4-5 p.m. and a reception from 5-6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 27. The artist talk will be held in the Boreham Business Building and the reception will be held in the gallery, located in the Walton Fine Arts Center.
According to Gross, "Continental Drift" is an installation that offers a space for meandering and contemplation.
"It is inspired by the geometric tilework of Islamic architecture, pays tribute to the artisans of handmade ceramics, and treats blue and white ceramics as carriers of ideas," she said. "The visual tradition of blue and white ceramics developed through an exchange between the Middle East and China, and has taken on many forms and embodied many geographic identities. Allow your eye to drift from the individual forms to the larger form, from independent pattern to interconnected pattern and experience the lack of resolution. I invite viewers to explore the work and fill the voids they see."
Dawn Holder, assistant professor of art at U of O, said her students are excited about hosting the visiting artist and her artwork.
"Our students will gain valuable experience assisting her with the setup of her installation in the Stephens Gallery," Holder said. "Seeing the other parts of being an artist?logistics, packing, thinking through how a work relates to a new gallery space?helps students piece together the multifaceted parts of the creative process. These informal experiences where students can work alongside professional artists are always inspiring and informative."
Gross received an MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and a BA from Carleton College. She has completed residencies at Greenwich House Pottery, Grand Valley State University, and the Lawrence Arts Center.
In 2010, she was named an "emerging artist" by Ceramics Monthly and she has work included in several collections, including the U.S. Department of State, The University of Costa Rica, and the Shiwan Ceramics Museum in Foshan, China. She has also taught at Berea College and Lawrence University.
"Continental Divide," by UK Assistant Professor of Art Sarah Gross.
Topics: Exhibit