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from the issue of December 8, 2005
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Hillestad hosts 'Difficult Subjects'
Artwork from four professionals and eight UNL graduate students will confront a series of difficult subjects as "Culture and Context: Difficult Subjects," opens Dec. 8 at the Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery.
Subjects addressed include aging, balance, cytogenetics, death, economy, environment, gender, heritage, identity, pay inequality, politics, racism, gender roles, sexuality and war.
The exhibit will showcase the art of Gyongy Laky, Jon Eric Riis and Michael Rohde.
In addition, UNL graduate students Christina Brooks, Jessica Chillemi, Tina Koeppe, Kim Madsen, Megan Myers, Stacey Skold, Sabrina Stapp and Kate Sydik will present work in the exhibition. The student entries are part of the design perspectives and issues class taught by professor Wendy Weiss.
A reception with the graduate student artists is from 7-9 p.m. Dec. 8 adjacent to the Hillestad Gallery on the second floor of the Home Economics Building. The event is free and open to the public.
Laky was born in Hungary in 1944 and emigrated to the United States as a small child. She completed undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of California in Berkeley and founded the Fiberworks Center for the Textile Arts in Berkeley in l973. Many of Laky's sculptures make references to environmental concerns. She often uses found and discarded tree prunings and cuttings as material for her work.
"I am interested in making a small dent in changing attitudes about the environment and our relationship to it - what is waste and what is not," Laky said.
Inspired by pre-Columbian Peruvian tapestries, Riis began weaving tapestry as an undergraduate at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His tapestries are woven from silk and metallic thread, and many are embellished with beads and crystals. Riis said he views the hands-on technique of weaving as a link between the past and present. He draws inspiration from sources as diverse as Greek mythology and current events to investigate issues of identity and contemporary notions of beauty. His piece, "Black and White," addresses issues of racism, tolerance, and racial identity.
Rohde has been weaving since 1973. He was initially self-taught, but later received formal training in weaving and design. Rohde has a doctorate in biochemistry. In 1998 he left his job as research director for a large biotech pharmaceutical company and a faculty position at Baylor College of Medicine, to devote full time to art. His piece, "From My House to Your Homeland," addresses concerns with military conflicts in Iraq.
The Hillestad Gallery will host "Culture and Context: Difficult Subjects" Dec. 8 to Jan. 20.
The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. For information, call 472-2911 or go online http://textilegallery.unl.edu.
GO TO: ISSUE OF DECEMBER 8
ARTS HEADLINES FOR DECEMBER 8
Hillestad hosts 'Difficult Subjects'
American Life in Poetry
At the Ross
Capote and Christmas in the Clouds held over
Clay Club biannual pottery sale is Dec. 9-10
Forever Red
Senior apparel designers to showcase work Dec. 10
Sheldon open over break
732288S35289X
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