The Catapult Creative House Student Studios at Southeast Missouri State University announces its final Artist of the Month exhibition of the year titled SEMO Storyboard.
The exhibition will feature the work of Southeast student artist Erika Wrzesinski of Centralia, Illinois, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in art. The exhibition is currently on display on the second floor of Catapult Creative House and will run through November, with a closing reception to be held on Friday, Dec. 7.
Defying both the traditional nature of the storyboard and a photographic color palette, Wrzesinski presents image after image chronicling her journey at Southeast. While it is the imagery that the artist uses to speak to her experiences, it is the medium and the campy references that resonate with the viewer. Simultaneously, employing film stills, animation frames and digitally manipulated photographs in this quasi-salon style exhibition, Wrzesinski records her experience exploring various artistic practices.
Anchored in B-movie scenery and awash with psychedelic colors, the photographs conjure up an outside world. Yet, the cloud filled skies, landscapes, and even the odd road create a sense of familiarity that is wholly approachable. It is the jarring colors that allow the images to dually materialize and mystify. In one photograph, what seems to be a carnival floats while encircled in the glow of a digital halo. As with the rest of the exhibition, the image reminds the viewer of the complicated nature of experience and memory.
Each month and as a part of a program to promote community-based and integrated art making, a student artist is chosen to exhibit his or her work at Catapult Creative Houses Student Studio Gallery. These exhibitions will showcase a range of work from individual artists that highlights their personal and professional artistic explorations as a part of the southeast Missouri art community. These artists explore the physicality of the human condition, its relationship to nature and the role of art in contemporary society. In addition to the exhibition, visitors are welcome to tour the studio spaces, view ongoing projects and engage with the artists.