The student news site of Marquette University

Marquette Wire

The student news site of Marquette University

Marquette Wire

The student news site of Marquette University

Marquette Wire

Crossing cultures

    There is an art piece hanging on a wall in the South Gallery at the Walker's Point Center for the Arts that bluntly states: "Get These Freaks Off My Back." The piece — created by Rosemary Ollison — is part of the new "Intersections Series" at the center. With markers, paper and just a few words, Ollison is able to define what the series, which will feature four different exhibits, is all about.

    "All of the exhibits look at ways in which people in society are intersecting with other groups," said Walker's Point Center for the Arts Executive Director Linda Corbin-Pardee.

    Ollison's encounter with society, as well as the encounters or "intersections" of four other self-taught women, are displayed in the series' first exhibit, "Sister Stories," running now until March 13.

    Corbin-Pardee says what it is to be a woman comes into play in their work, as each piece reflects their interaction with society.

    The entire North Gallery has been dedicated to the work of Mona Webb — an artist from Madison who died in 1998.

    "Webb's work is really extraordinary and powerful," Corbin-Pardee said. "It is a fascinating representation of an historical look at her interaction with society as an African-American, as a woman and as a mother."

    Webb moved to Madison from Mexico City in the 1960s, during the height of its political activity. According to Corbin-Pardee, not only do you see "a reflective progression of the feminist movement" in her work, but also the fact that "she was a woman of color that entered into the dialogue of race through her work."

    Using everyday objects to construct her sculptures and paintings, Webb's art quickly catches the eye thanks to the vibrant colors and shiny pieces that make up each piece. For "Horned Figure," Webb took the crutches she used after having a hip replacement and turned them upside down to form the legs of the sculpture. "Woman with Red Hair" depicts a woman dancing, with chunks of glass used for her legs, shells for her belt and yarn for her hair. But perhaps the most stunning work is "Aphrodite" — an 8-foot tall statue of a woman made from foil, shells, beads, bracelets, glass, metal and rubber.

    "It is so Western goddess, showing the power of beauty, but done in a very non-Western way," Corbin-Pardee said. "Webb used a lot of African techniques."

    The South Gallery contains the work of Ollison (who used puffy paint for several of her pieces), Sharon Kerry-Harlan (who constructed small pictures with pieced fabric), Eileen Doman (who took family photos to create new portraits) and Anne Marie Grgich (who used a puzzle fixed to wood to create one piece).

    Following the "Sister Stories" exhibit is "Confluencias" (April 2-May 22), which will feature the work of Leandro Soto and Raoul Deal, two installation artists who have worked together for at least a decade. The installation format "not only displays how the artists intersect with everyday society, but also allows the viewer to intersect with the art as well," Corbin-Pardee said.

    Soto and Deal will play off each other in concurrent exhibits, showing the interaction between U.S.-American culture and Latin-American culture.

    "There is a notion that there is a perceivable difference between the two cultures, but through their work they show that there is really an underlying sameness to them all," Corbin-Pardee said.

    "Women in the Middle: Borders, Barriers and Intersections" (June 4-July 10) — the subject of the third exhibit — will take place in conjunction with the National Women's Studies Association conference taking place in Milwaukee in June. Currently, a national call is being held for submissions for the exhibit, which will feature contemporary feminist artwork.

    The final exhibit, "Men and Boys" (September 10-October 16), will take a look at how the definition of male and masculinity is really being challenged in today's society.

    "Feminism opened a door to what masculinity is," Corbin-Pardee said. "With the focus on the military now, and various things in the political realm, there is a new discussion of masculinity."

    Corbin-Pardee believes that the "Intersections Series" will resonate with the individuals in the diverse Walker's Point community.

    "These exhibits all meet the mission of WPCA, which is to support arts in a multicultural environment," she said. "We see ourselves as a bridge between many communities. Many people can relate to this work."

    The Walker's Point Center for the Arts' gallery is open Tuesday-Saturday, 12-5 p.m. Admission to the gallery is free. WPCA is located at 911 W. National Ave.

    Story continues below advertisement