Arkansas artist Rashawn Penister will present his exhibit, “Life’s a Card Game,” at University of the Ozarks’ Stephens Gallery as part of the University’s Artist of the Month Series.
The exhibit will run from Nov. 13 through Dec. 14 in the gallery, which is located inside the Walton Fine Arts Center. There is no admission to tour the gallery and it is open to the public. There will be a reception to meet the artist from 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16, in the gallery.
A native of Pine Bluff, Ark., Penister’s artwork explores the varying connections between playing cards and art. The “Life’s a Card Game” exhibit is series of portraits using playing cards as a remembrance of one of his family’s favorite hobbies.
“My inspiration came from a conversation I had with a co-worker who told me that we must play the cards that we’re dealt with, meaning that we make use of what is afforded or available,” he said. “The concept of my work is focused on creating a visual message with playing cards, an object that is used for entertainment or personal purposes, that we are metaphorically playing a card game by making life choices. My work is made from playing cards that are cut into different shapes to form the subject. I glued the cards to create the piece that are presented to the audience. Using cards, I’m able to take something that was used as a means or entertainment and create a work of art that is mesmerizing to the viewers.”
Penister is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a bachelor of science in visual art.
His works have been displayed in several juried exhibitions including the 61st Annual Delta Exhibition, and the 2022 Small Works on Paper. He is currently at the University of Memphis pursuing an MFA in visual art.
Topics: Art