The Larson art gallery, on the Saint Paul campus, had it's last opening for the year on April 12th. This show, titled "Urban Earth", explores the relationship of nature to art. This show encompasses the work of three artists: Meghan Karschnia, Jeramy Jensen, and Kari Maxwell. Even though each of their styles is very different, they address the same topic, creating a unique take on a single theme.
Kari Maxwell's soft images of feather, takes a very placid look at nature. These small canvases are very soothing, and seem like something that would be hung in a home or a cabin. The pastels, soft lines, and soft subject matter create a very tranquil image. She did not provide an artist statement, yet as a viewer, it seems to me that she wanted to comfort the viewer, more than challenge the way they view nature. It is a view that instills a sense of peace. This creates a body of work that would be easy to sell to an audience looking to buy for a home.
On the other hand, Jeramy Jensen's work is more violent in it's treatment towards nature. The vivid reds, stark blacks, and harsh lines is an uneasy look at nature, that does not leave the viewer feeling comfortable. There are Pollock like quality to his drips and swipes that evoke a more industrial feel. The tree landscapes do not feel real. Rather, they feel constructed.
Meghan Karschnia is a ceramic artist that depicts pottery with topographical pieces. Her plates, hung on a wall in a line, express the industrial encroachment on the earth. The earth slowly disappears more and more in the center of each plate as black swirls engulf it. This combines the two other artists but addressing the peace of the natural world, and the effects industrialization affects it.
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