Art gallery opening creates ‘Common Ground’ at GCSU

Blackbridge Hall almost burst at the seams to a point which the fire marshal probably wouldn’t have approved last week. On Sept. 24, GCSU students, faculty, staff and other visitors packed into the tiny hall to hear what Boston artist Cheryl Warrick had to say about her exhibit “Common Ground.”

Warrick’s acrylic artwork dating from 1999 was a colorful collage of everyday items such as ladders, houses, boats and chairs infused with proverbs from cultures around the world.

“The patches talk to each other and become a conversation,” Warrick said.

The use of patches also stemmed from Warrick’s love for quilts. Quilt making is a hobby that she enjoys with her daughter.

There are no correct interpretations with Warrick’s work. The viewer holds that power.

“Everyone has a different response to each different thing (in my art),” Warrick said.

Warrick was chosen by senior museum studies major Emily Ewalt to fulfill a project in which she had to curate an artist’s work.

“It was truly love at first sight with (Warrick’s) work,” Ewalt said.

Students who attended the event were astounded by Warrick’s art.

“I love her use of layers to create incredible texture,” Megan Sullivan, a sophomore art major, said. “The way she puts it all together is courageous.”

Some faculty members found viewing the artwork to be a great teaching opportunity.

“Each paint has different aspects but somehow still cohesive,” visiting Assistant Art Professor Cynthia Brinich-Langlois said. “I can apply her use of familiar symbols in my classes.”

Warrick’s art is her way of exploring other’s viewpoints on the world around them.

“I use my art as a search for wisdom,” Warrick said. “I want to see how we come to know about the world around us.”

Warrick had advice to give that could also apply outside the strata of the arts. People doubted she could have success in art, she said. Warrick was a registered nurse for 18 years before she went to art school. Warrick said she had a fellow unnamed nurse that said if Warrick didn’t succeed in art that Warrick could paint the nurse’s bathroom.

Warrick has had her art featured in 30 to 40 exhibits, 50 corporations and Oprah Winfrey owns a couple of pieces of her work.

“Common Ground” will be on display until Oct. 23.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 2 2009. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry