Dorothy Netherland ‘Mementos’

Nine permanently displayed clocks stare back at the viewer. They are haunting reminders of the past, and in their faces, we see our memories.

“The Hours,” is one of senior museum studies major Thomas Mizelle’s favorite pieces of art created by Dorothy Netherland. It is a set of clocks depicting a unique female on each one. There are 12 clocks in all, but the curator, Mizelle, chose to put nine in his exhibit in a symmetrical grid.

As a requirement for his major, Mizelle has been working to curate his own exhibit. He chose the work of Netherland. To create the grand exhibit, he has gone through a tedious, but rewarding process.

“It allows you to get first-hand experience in planning the process for putting on a show in a museum,” Mizelle said.

Carlos Herrera, a museum studies professor, guided and helped Mizelle create the exhibit. Herrera aided the senior with everything from selecting the right artist to the press release and announcement cards.

“At Georgia College, the museum studies students get the opportunity to work with a professional artist, visit their studio, select the artwork, and speak with the artist. The student gets practical experience,” says Herrera.

After extensive research, Mizelle says he was was blown away by the art of Dorothy Netherland and chose her work for his Blackbridge Hall exhibit.

Netherland is from and currently resides in Alexandria, Va. Her art is popular in cities like Atlanta and Savannah. 

The exhibit focuses on the idea of memories and how they affect our everyday lives. Netherland takes it upon herself to rediscover memories and put them creatively on a canvas.

On her website, Netherland writes in her artist statement, “I am responding to the idea of the past as something which is imagined and interpreted, rather than remembered. I am interested in the ways in which we frame our personal narratives, and the power of the imagination to fill in the blanks.”

Mizelle says he is excited to have this exhibit come together. He feels lucky to have an artist like Netherland to exhibit.

Mizelle and Herrera were thrilled that Netherland created seven new works for the exhibition that have not been exhibited in any other venue.

“I think Dorothy’s artwork will show a new perspective for many, and will allow them to explore themes they may have not acknowledged. Our student population is unique in that they are willing to open themselves up to a variety new topics,” Mizelle said.

GC will have the opportunity to see Netherland’s work first hand, and Mizelle believes visitors will be impressed. The complexity and colors of her work will be intriguing to those who view it and learn the meaning behind each piece.

One student, Emily Yardley-Hodges, freshman English and museums studies major said, “I find the dichotomy of transparency and opacity in Netherland’s works to be intriguing- the way in which she layers the panes of glass with bold images creates persistent feminist commentary on societal gender roles of today.”

“Mementos” opened in Blackbridge Hall Gallery on Jan. 17 and will run until Feb. 10. There will be a reception and artist talk Jan. 26 at 6 p.m.

Posted by Marilyn Ferrell on Jan 19 2012. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.