Giertz Gallery: Stepping the Mast

Monday, September 25–Saturday, November 4, 2017
Reception: Thursday, September 28, 2017, 5:30-7:30 pm, with live music by Ms. M and the Jokers
Gallery Talk at 6:30 pm by Rob Millard-Mendez
Artist demonstration/lecture by Millard-Mendez on Thursday, September 28, 1:15 pm, Room C191
"Stepping the Mast: Rob Millard-Mendez" opens Sept. 25 and runs through Nov. 4. An artist reception will be held Sept. 28, 5:30–7:30 p.m., in the gallery lounge featuring a gallery talk by artist Rob Millard-Mendez at 6:30 p.m. and music by Ms. M and the Jokers.
An additional artist lecture and demonstration by Millard-Mendez will take place at 1:15 p.m. Sept. 28 in Room C191 (Art and Design annex).
Millard-Mendez is currently chair of the Art and Design Department at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville. As a woodworker and sculptor, his work often employs high craft but is also process-oriented and rich with historical references and personal narratives. He received his MFA in Sculpture from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and his BFA from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
In his artist statement, Millard-Mendez shares the inspiration and goals for his artworks:
"The objects I make reflect the sensibilities of a person steeped in New England practicality who (for better or worse) ended up learning about things like art history, existentialist philosophy, and post-structuralist theory," he said. "Many of my sculptures are based on themes from classical mythology viewed through the lens of contemporary events. I have a strong interest in how my themes surface and re-surface throughout human history in many varied (but related) guises. I very much enjoy how masks and figurative sculptures are used in disparate cultures to play out everyday dramas that echo age-old narratives.
"It is my hope that my works will, in some small way, enrich the viewer and make him or her see the world as slightly more tragic or laughable (or possibly both at the same time)."
Giertz Gallery hours are Monday–Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday noon to 2 p.m. To find the gallery when classes are in session, we suggest using the M6 parking lot on the north corner of the campus. Enter through door X7, turn left, and follow the ramps uphill to the highest point of the first floor, where the gallery is located. The gallery windows overlook the outdoor fountain area.
This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. Parkland is a section 504/ADA-compliant institution. For accommodation, call 217/351-2505.Trava Mista Cano Alto