Art Faculty Biennale Opens on October 1st at the Komechak

The art faculty's biennial exhibition opens today at Komechak Art Gallery. It involves ten faculty from the Fine Art and Graphic Art and Design programs currently offered at Benedictine University. They are William Scarlato, HaiRi Han, Teresa J. Parker, David Marcet, Jennifer Scavone, Karen Brooks, Vincent Lucarelli, Susan Davis, James Bulosan and Lynn MacKenzie. This exhibition represents currently produced works by the faculty as part of their professional work outside of teaching.

Starting with William Scarlato, department chair of Fine arts, he is continuing with his series of Midwestern landscapes with two small painting gems. Some of these works come as inspiration from the surrounding landscape at Benedictine University, in Lisle, Illinois. Another piece , larger, relates his interest in abstracting still life subjects. These works usually involve a table upon which sit objects normally found in still lifes, but in this instance, Scarlato has brought out an undulating series of curvilinear lines and orbs which magnify and alter the normal perception of space. This piece goes to his long time study of modernist perception. The last piece, is a small painting which includes a self-portrait. The artist is at his easel and peering discerningly around it to analyze himself. The look on the artist's face is stern, and reminds us of self-portraits by the British painter Lucien Freud.

Another painter in the biennial is David Marcet. His highly-detailed, realistic self-portraits have a sense of humor, like the one where he portrays himself as a butcher that just lopped off his own finger and funnily mugs at the viewer and innocently goes "Oooo". His mastery of the painting medium is evident and his repeated use of himself as subject matter is refreshing and a delight to behold.

Continuing with a love of Nature is Jennifer Scavone and her two photographs of walking in the woods. Her tonality reminds us of the work of Stieglitz and Strand. They are wonderfully reflective pieces and peaceful.

In a departure from her previous works, Teresa J. Parker has begun a new series about dementia and Alzheimer's. The photo collages are devoted to her mother who is struggling with the syndrome. They are smaller works, intimate and engaging.

Vincent Lucarelli's photo series presents views of the local riverwalk and often involves his family members. They are bright, colorful and full of life.

He also gives us one of his signature abstract digital works ....

James Bulosan, art therapist that works with clay, has brought in a piece called "Dissolution" for the exhibit. The mixed media piece is open to interpretation as possibly a bird or a tube of paint that has been squished out.

Susan Davis gives us her drawing and painting prowess in two color works, plus an etching of a horse. Karen Brooks gives us several calligraphic works that show her mastery of lettering.

HaiRi Han, head of the Graphic Art and Design area presents two of her recent handmade artist books. Her elegance and flow of construction and lettering make for a poignant tribute to her ailing brother. Lynn MacKenzie, art historian , surprises the exhibitor with four recent paintings. She presents patriotism, humor and a savvy in painting from her personal photographs involving friends, herself and her daughter.

A reception for the artists will take place on October 3rd, from 3-6pm. Open and free to the public. www.ben.edu/artgallery