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Marquette Wire

The student news site of Marquette University

Marquette Wire

The student news site of Marquette University

Marquette Wire

‘Brothers’ exhibit highlights divergent styles

With it's latest exhibition, Marquette's Haggerty Museum of Art is doing its part to bring the unique designs and vibrant colors of area artisans to campus.

The Haggerty Museum, in conjunction with the Educational Opportunities Program at Marquette, is presenting "Two Brothers: And Not Just About Color — Paintings and Sculpture by Reginald and Trenton Baylor" until Oct. 17. The exhibition will feature 16 paintings and six sculptures completed within the past two years.

Reginald Baylor — who majored in fine art and art education with an emphasis in sculpture while attending the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh — is known for his bright, constrasting colored paintings of geometric shapes. He perfects his pieces by using straight edges and household items to transform his concepts into proper lines and geometric shapes. He focuses on urban settings and the environment.

Reginald Baylor uses anywhere from 20 to 60 different color combinations per painting, which gives them life.

The paintings "seem to work the way they have been done," said Fred Kames Jr., a sophomore studying art at UWM who stopped by to see the exhibit. "Standing from a distance everything just fits, while standing up close, everything seems to jump out at me."

"Reginald's style is very bright. It's not traditional at all, but I like it," said Kames' father, Fred Kames Sr. "It reminds me of a kaleidoscope. If no one does anything vibrant or different, we do not progress artistically or within society."

Trenton Baylor's sculptures grow out of a fascination with machines, the world, human life and their relationship together. He sculpts to create a greater awareness of the importance of nature in human life and the threat machines pose to the natural world.

Trenton Baylor's work is a statement on the potential impact machines could have on our lives and the absurdity of trying to create or recreate the beauty that he believes, "God has given us" — a theme of the exhibit.

In addition to sculpture, Trenton Baylor — who received a bachelor's degree in art from UW-Parkside and a Master of Fine Arts from UW-Madison — designs and produces furniture pieces that will be included in the exhibition.

"I am, and have always been interested in how things are built, how they are constructed," Trenton said in an interview conducted by Dr. Curtis L. Carter, founder and director of the Haggerty Art Museum.

"I love to look under things. I like the inner parts of things. I try to incorporate all of that into my artwork. I try to make structure a focal point of my art. Structure shouldn't always be hidden."

Carter's goal as director is to create a laboratory for learning through the arts.

He feels he has been successful in accomplishing that goal by bringing fresh vibrant artists to Marquette, like Reginald and Trenton Baylor.

"I don't like only one particular piece in this new exhibit. I think the collective experience is my favorite," Carter said. "Marquette students should come see this new exhibit. Life is choices; people miss out by not exploring their environment."

"Two Brothers: And Not Just About Color — Paintings and Sculpture by Reginald and Trenton Baylor" will be on display at the Haggerty Museum, located at 13th and Clybourn streets on Marquette's campus, until Oct. 17. Admission is free. More information is available by calling 288-1669 or at www.mu.edu/haggerty.

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