By: Rachel F. Brown, Visual Arts Instructor

The STC Visual Arts faculty is showcasing their recent work in an exhibition entitled: “articulation + permutation.” The exhibition, on display at the STC Pecan Campus Art Gallery in Building B, Room 103, will be available for viewing through Monday, Dec. 18, 2006.

A variety of media, both two and three dimensional, are on display, with many of the pieced connected by the thread of some historical element and the articulation of history within the individual pieces.

Steve Ortiz’ mixed-media sculpture entitled ‘Texas Radio’ incorporates the warm texture of wood with the raggedness of barbed wire, evoking the sound of an antique radio, both smooth around the edges with jagged, raspy reception. The song ‘Texas Radio’ by the legendary Doors was the grain of sand at the back of the artists’ mind. After years of pondering, Ortiz felt he had to start the sculpture, then see where the process led in terms of resolving the work. The resulting piece takes on the vintage or relic-like sense of much of his metalwork and sculpture.

Phyllis Evans’ paintings are based on pencil sketches that copy engraved illustrations from 19th century medical texts. A very close look at these images will reveal the underlying graphite drawings that inspired the finished works. The Victorian-era medical imagery reveals attitudes toward the illness and human body which display a great deal of subjective content. The final steps of process involve the use of two types of paint. Digital prints are coated with thick, translucent layers of encaustic wax, the surface of which is carved to produce a tactile quality. The encaustic protects the fragile ink-jet print from the final layers of oil paint, which in turn enhances the carved texture and partially obscures the sharp digital image.

Rebecca Jones’ camera was her tool of choice in capturing images during a trip to Rome in the summer of 2006. The photographs reveal the geometric harmony evident in the buildings of the ancient Romans. Taken at unusual angles which capture the rhythm and breadth of the architectural elements rather than their symmetry, it encourages and reminds the viewer to literally look at one’s subject matter from a different angle, which is a revealing process.

Rachael Brown’s landscape and architecture painting in thick impasto continues her theme of landscape and nature as sanctuary, ideas many cultures throughout history have embraced in visual arts form. In today’s world of windowless offices, fluorescent lighting, and endless hours spent looking at the world on a monitor or screen, the artist feels the traditional form of natural landscape painting can provide a respite from the sometimes bleak electronic landscape.

Other STC instructors Ed Garcia, Richard Lubben, James Miller, Scott Nichol, and Richard Smith allow their work to speak for itself, articulating the myriad permutations that the visual arts follow.

For gallery hours and information call 872-3473 or visit www.southtexasart.com.

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