So the word from artists whose work you’ll see in the Arkansas Arts Center’s Delta Exhibition keeps coming. Katherine Rutter of Little Rock sends in an image of her work, “The Letting Go, We Still Don’t Know.” From her artist’s statement:
My work explores images and ideas that express our connection to the universe and help to create that understanding in others. I use primarily pencil, watercolor and gouache to create images of plants, insects, animals, human figures and delicate patterns. Through their combination, ambiguous narratives are formed that portray our interconnectedness with nature. Part of the process is my own involvement with the environment and its materials. I currently use a method where I ‘paint’ with hair-like algae, an intuitive process that allows me to connect with my subconscious, and allows for shapes to gradually evolve into recognizable forms. Gentle lines and feminine colors give an initial feeling of warmth and familiarity, often bringing to mind illustrations from old children’s books. However, upon closer inspection, the drawings reveal slightly unsettling scenarios that challenge our immediate perceptions and ask for deeper understanding. Through the ambivalence of these images, my work addresses our emotional and physical existence, as well as embraces the coexistence of the grotesque and the beautiful.
You can read an interview with Rutter here. Previous posts on Delta artists are here and here. The exhibition opens June 27. Juror Brian Rutenberg will give a talk, “Far Seeing Place,” about his selection process at 6 p.m. June 26, member opening night. Non-members may hear the lecture and attend the reception for $15.