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August 9, 2002

Purdue Galleries offers global view in newly renovated facilities

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The shared feminine tradition of sewing is explored through art and poetry this fall as Purdue Galleries begins its 2002-03 schedule of exhibitions.

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"Patterns," an exhibit featuring mixed media artwork by Katherine Kadish and poetry by Jackie Bartley, reflects the theme of sewing and female identity. The art will be displayed at the Robert L. Ringel Gallery in the Purdue Memorial Union Monday, Aug. 19, through Sunday, Sept. 29.

Kadish's visual art includes painting, mixed media constructions and printmaking. Her work uses pattern designs and model forms to construct physical representations of body structure and self-image. Bartley's poems explore the shared cultural experiences of sewing and handiwork that have traditionally helped to shape the identities of young women.

A reception will be from 4:30-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, in the Ringel Gallery. The artists will present an interdisciplinary discussion of their work and talk about the common themes that brought them together.

Concurrent with the "Patterns" exhibit, the newly re-opened Stewart Center Gallery will feature "Framed Choices," an interactive installation by Charles Parson. Parson recently installed a large outdoor sculpture at Purdue University in Pickett Park. His exhibit will be designed to involve the viewer physically and to take advantage of the space in the refurbished facility. It will incorporate industrial architecture, sound discs and mirrors reflecting both acoustic/amplified sounds and images of the viewer's passage through the space.

During the past academic year, the Stewart Center Gallery was relocated, renovated and fitted with climate control. Included in the renovation of the Humanities, Social Science and Education Library, the gallery can now take advantage of "visual interaction" provided by the new library facilities.

Future exhibits include:

• "Global Matrix" (Oct. 14 to Nov. 24) – A contemporary review of fine art printmaking in all media from around the world will be presented in both the Ringel and Stewart Center galleries. The exhibit is a joint project and traveling exhibition by the Purdue University Galleries and the Wright State University Art Galleries in Dayton, Ohio.

• "Ritual and Rebirth: African Masks from the Collection of Thomas D. Slater" (Jan. 13 to Feb. 24) – The exhibit features association masks from the Poro and Soweii societies. Art history students in the Purdue Department of Visual and Performing Arts are developing the exhibit under the supervision of David Parrish.

• "Images of Human Rights" (Jan. 13 to Feb. 24) – This is a portfolio of black and white woodcuts recently acquired for the Purdue Galleries permanent collection. In the aftermath of Apartheid, the portfolio was assembled to celebrate the creation of the South African Bill of Rights.

• "Women of the Book: Jewish Artists, Jewish Themes" (March 10 to April 27) – This exhibition features women artists who have created book works of unusual beauty and significance containing themes of Jewish life and culture.

• "Flight Trails" (March 10 to April 27) – Exhibition of Amelia Earhart memorabilia that celebrates the renovation of the Humanities, Social Sciences and Education Library and Stewart Center Gallery. The exhibit will publicly unveil the George Palmer Putnam Collection of Amelia Earhart Papers. The collection was a recent gift to Purdue Libraries from Sally Putnam Chapman, granddaughter of Earhart's husband George Putnam.

Purdue Galleries director Craig Martin says he anticipates that many people will take advantage of what the galleries have to offer during the upcoming season.

"This year, we look forward to providing visitors with opportunities to experience art from a variety of cultural perspectives," Martin says. "From patterns of female identity, to printmaking from around the world, to ritual masks and expressions of human rights from the African continent, to artist books by Jewish women artists, to the mementos and artifacts from the life of a famed aviatrix – a global vision would seem to be the inherent theme of our offerings."

Purdue Galleries staff also are planning a professional development day on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Greater Lafayette art teachers will visit Purdue for an overview of the galleries' exhibits and collections along with a participatory introduction to the "Global Matrix" exhibit. The opportunity for classroom presentations by Purdue Galleries staff also will be explored.

The Robert L. Ringel Gallery in the Purdue Memorial Union and the Stewart Center Gallery in Stewart Center are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, until 8 p.m. on Thursday and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. The Ralph G. Beelke Memorial Gallery in Creative Arts Building Two is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

CONTACT: Craig Martin, (765) 494-3061, gallery@purdue.edu.

PHOTO CAPTION:
"Time Travel," a mixed media artwork by Katherine Kadish, depicts a shoe and the inverted top section of a grandfather clock case combined with other fragments. The work reflects the crossing of times and cultures. (Photo provided by Purdue Galleries courtesy of Katherine Kadish.)

A publication-quality photograph is available at ftp://ftp.purdue.edu/pub/uns/martin.gallery02.jpeg.

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu


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