|
 Typically, an artist will have one area of
specialty, a medium that they prefer to work with and manipulate in
to a variety of pieces. At this show, one instantly noticed that
there was a wide variety of mediums utilized in the various art
installations. A short conversation with Lofgren revealed why that
is.
Lofgren lives in Bloomington with her husband Matt Erickson and four
year-old daughter Ava. All three are artistic and while the show was
billed as the works of Lofgren, all three contributed to the art
that filled the room.
Lofgren explained that in the past year, she began looking for ways
to connect her daughter to the art world and allow her to express
herself through her own choice of mediums. Lofgren said it was a
great way to bond the family closer together, and it permitted her
the opportunity to research and explore other art methods.
Many of the pieces in the room incorporated works by Lofgren with
works she and her daughter did together. Lofgren said that her
little girl was interested in clay and she was fortunate enough to
be able to incorporate a clay studio.
In addition, the three spent a great deal of time, creating art from
items they could find around the house. Because renovations have
been going on at the house there was plenty of opportunity to
incorporate wood into the works, utilizing items salvaged from the
home.
There is also a great deal of paper in the works, including some of
the writings her husband has worked on, turning pages into unique
art.
Lofgren herself prefers to work in print and around the room there
were several pieces of print on specialty papers that are
representative of the artist’s talent in taking a flat surface and
turning it into something that takes on depth and texture through
layering and color.
An example of the mixed medium work that was on display included
this shelf filled with little clay pots with a wax print as the
backdrop.
The description of the piece in the exhibition checklist reads:
Construct 2 with fossil – Waxed photo transfers on removed
bedroom wall panel, waxed red earthenware goose and chicken eggs,
red iron oxide stain on red earthenware, purchased Orthoceras fossil
egg, and removed kitchen shelf with brackets.
Another mixed medium work utilizes many found items and materials
some people would discard, but Lofgren and her family found these
items to have artistic merit and incorporated them all into one
cohesive work of art.
The description reads: Construct 6 with repatriated Blue Bird
feathers – Waxed photo transfers on removed bedroom wall panel,
dried root with black tourmaline, found vase, cut and shaved hair,
string, removed floor frame, stencil of BFK Rives paper, wood from
artist’s home renovation, marble, bench Bible holder.
Lofgren said that she was very impressed by the renovations done by
Jason Hoffman and Marcia Cook on the Lincoln Arts Institute. She
said that she had visited the gallery prior to the facelift, so she
was well aware of the work that had gone into it.
She noted that when she walked in the door of the gallery the first
time, she was drawn immediately to the back wall and knew that she
had the perfect installation for that large spacious area.
On Thursday night she chose that piece as one of her favorites in
the room and said that the wall was the perfect place and that
people felt drawn to the work because of its size.
For Lofgren, the beauty of the work falls in the fact that it
represents the talents of her family. Her husband Matt is a film
photographer.
[to top of second column] |
She used his photos as a large portion of the display. The wood in the display
was taken from the Lofgren home, and there is a tiny clay piece that was made by
her daughter.
The work also features folded paper.
The description reads: Book Form 3 (tree) – Framed 35mm photographs digitally
printed, treated wood from removed deck rail, wood removed from kitchen floor,
and Green Carnival Antique Cover paper.
As it is her favorite piece in the show, Lofgren gathered her husband and
daughter together in front of Book Form 3 (tree) to have a photo taken to
commemorate the night.
Lofgren is fully immersed in art, having earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts at the
University of Wyoming and Master of Fine Arts at Illinois State University. She
is currently employed at the ISU Galleries and is the founder of Together Press,
a community printmaking and papermaking facility in coordination with
“Cometogetherstudios” in Bloomington, Illinois.
On Thursday evening, there was a large crowd in attendance at the opening
reception. Guests enjoyed visiting with the artist and admiring the many works
on display.
It was also an odd night for many of the guests. Just hours before the show the
Centers for Disease Control had announced that anyone who was fully vaccinated
against Covid-19 could attend indoor functions without the use of a face mask.
In the room, there was a mix of masked and unmasked faces as guests began
adjusting to the new freedom.
Tom McLaughlin (pictured right) noted he had his mask in his pocket and had been
prepared to put it on when he arrived, but saw the sign on the door that face
masked were not required. He said he enjoyed keeping the little piece of cloth
in his pocket, but at the same time, it felt a bit odd to go into a building
with several people with his nose and mouth uncovered.
It should be noted that the new freedom is for those who have been fully
vaccinated. If one has not had the vaccine, he or she should continue to wear
the mask until two weeks post final vaccination.
Even so, the change in rules served to make the evening a little lighter and a
little friendlier as one could see the smiling faces instead of just imagining
they were there.
The room was abuzz with guests enjoying the art and their new freedom and noting
that the theme of the exhibit was “Movement Toward the Open,” it seemed more
than fitting that this show and the new ruling should come about on the same
day.
The gallery will be open on Friday evenings with Lofgren’s works on display
through June 4th.
On May 21st there will be a special opportunity for those attending Third Friday
Downtown. Lofgren will lead a family-friendly hands-on porch printing session
from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Be sure to check it out.
[Nila Smith] |
