East Gallery
Kristy Lewis Andrew The Brights: Contemporary
Mixed Media Landscapes
April 17 thru June 18, 2006
Native
Oklahoman Kristy Lewis Andrew’s exhibit, The Brights, Contemporary
Mixed Media Landscapes, makes great strides in a new approach to a
subject steeped in tradition.
During the first century when grandiose frescoes adorned the great rooms within the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, some of the first landscape paintings appeared. The term landscape initially materialized during the latter part of the 17th century as a term to describe a painted scene depicting elements of the surrounding environment including physical features of land, living elements such as flora and fauna, as well as the ephemeral elements of light and weather.
Andrew is creating landscapes that speak to today’s audience
in much the same way the artists of Pompeii did through plaster and
paint, while still connected to this heritage. By making use of patterns
to surround and expand the minimal landscapes at the works’ heart,
Andrew connects to contemporary culture. The patterns Andrew uses are
inspired by those found in fabrics, wallpapers and other such textiles.
This also ties her to historical modern artists such as Henri Matisse
who used patterns to enhance the two-dimensionality of his works.
Andrew also modernizes her landscape by her use of mixed media, the
use of two or more mediums within a single composition. She has used
these techniques to convey a sense of harmony between the unification
of man-made interior designs with the natural landscape. Her mixed
media compositions are made up of acrylic paint, hand-made paper, as
well as thread on paper, panel or canvas and her use of saturated and
bright colors evoke blissful sensations. Andrew creates a sense of
balance and peace for her viewers through her intricate detailing of
the interior patterns and the personification of her whimsical trees.
Andrew describes her exhibit as “an exploration in the power
of color. I’m at a point in life that is most joyful. My young
child has greatly brightened my perceptions, and in turn, my art work.
The use of lively color has helped to create vivid personalities for
each of my landscape portraits. My trees represent people and for the
most part, they’re quite happy.”
Andrew currently serves as Associate Professor of Art and Design at Oklahoma State University and has held similar posts at Dominican University in Chicago and Purdue University in Indiana. During the past eight years, Andrew has focused on her studio art and has participated in over 100 exhibitions across the United States. She has received many accolades for her talent as an artist and accordingly her work is among collections in the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. The New York Library, New York City, and Yale University. Andrew earned a Master of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Sponsored by the Oklahoma Arts Council. For more information contact Scott Cowan or Karen Sharp at 405.521.2931 or scott@arts.ok.gov.