The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is currently hosting "Transmission," an exhibit that pairs the paintings of artist Laurence Rathsack and the installations of one of his students, Liz Bachhuber. Both artists create works that leave interpretation open to the audience's imagination.
Over 40 of Rathesack's paintings and 13 sketches — predominantly of watercolor and graphite — reflect the seven-decade journey of his work. Bachhuber's five installations on the first floor act as an introduction to Rathsack's work, all of which are on the second floor.
Rathsack is a master of watercolor and tone. His early pastel and tempera paintings prove he is a talented realism painter, and his later watercolor techniques reflect that talent in a modern style. His watercolor paintings, from 1956 to 2005, present images that are recognizable, yet not picture perfect.
"Dark Houses" (1943), a tempera painting, shows two houses side by side. The straight, perpendicular lines and realistic setting leave little to the imagination. The painting can be taken at face value. His color choice of bright green grass, dark grey/brown house and black tree shadows demonstrate Rathsack's dedication to contrast and tone. "House in Fall Sun" is an almost identical sketch.
Remaining true to detail, the first watercolor painting, "Blue Building" (1956), draws the eye to the center and vertical page length with a bright blue building. The entire painting shows quick and seemingly unmeasured strokes. The eye is then brought into the street scene. The images appear to represent city scenery of flashy billboards and traffic smoke.
A blue background painting with three white specks at first glance appears to be something anyone can do, but "Capri No. 2" (1972) marks where Rathsack mastered the use of tone. The specks at the bottom appear to glow off the page, and three shades of blue are distinctly present as the eye moves up the page, yet they blend together.
As Rathsack's water paintings evolved, the sharp strokes softened. "Man on Land" seems to tie all of Rathsack's elements together. The person is known because of a black circle in the center of the page. The body is just a white glow against the light beige/green strokes of the grass and beige/yellow sky tones.
Rathsack's watercolor paintings draw the eye to every aspect, not just the focal point. Each has something new to discover every time it is viewed.
One of Bachhuber's installations, "Eisvogel (Ice Birds)" (1998), shows bird silhouettes cut out of 15 small refrigerator doors. A programmed light moves from bottom right to top left in seven flashes.
Rathsack's influence is apparent in Bachhuber's works after viewing his paintings. While the medium of expression is different, each shows a passion for intriguing the imagination.
Grade: B
"Transmission" will be on display in Gallery One at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee's Institute of Visual Arts in Vogel Hall through May 15. The gallery is open Wednesdays through Sundays noon to 5 p.m.
This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on Mar. 17 2005.