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New Narratives: Recent Work by University of Utah Art Faculty

Salt Lake City – The art faculty at the University of Utah are a dynamic and diverse group of contemporary artists and designers who teach, inspire and contribute in important ways to Utah’s cultural landscape. Starting October 24, the latest creations by these talented professors and instructors will be on view in a lively group show at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA).

New Narratives: Recent Work by University of Utah Art Faculty, on view through January 11, 2015, features 66 objects from 31 faculty artists in a wide array of mediums, including painting, photography, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture and new media. The exhibition’s guest curator, Katie Lee Koven, director of the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art at Utah State University, says that viewers will encounter an exciting variety of visual experiences but also discover recurring ideas and concepts.

“Some artists explore the environment and our ability to construct and deconstruct it. Others consider our role in consumption and its effects on viability. Still others investigate concepts of history, time and memory,” Koven says. “Using humor, metaphor, self-distortion, realistic representation, angst and the idea of a journey, these artists explore what it means to be human.”

Brian Snapp, associate professor and chair of the U’s Department of Art and Art History, says this triennial exhibition presents a rare opportunity for both artists and viewers. “We get to share with the campus and community the collective creative energy and achievements of our nationally and internationally recognized faculty,” says Professor Snapp, a ceramicist and head of the department’s ceramics area. “What we are celebrating at the core of our creative research both as artists and teachers is our belief in the fundamental importance of the visual arts to humanity.”

Participating artists are Edward Bateman, Nolan Baumgartner, Susan Beck, Simon Blundell, Sandy Brunvand, Laurel Caryn, Van Chu, Lewis J. Crawford, Al Denyer, Justin Diggle, Stefanie Dykes, Dave Eddy, John Erickson, Lauren Gallaspy, Tom Hoffman, Holly K. Johnson, Lenka Konopasek, Beth Krensky, Kristina Lenzi, Naomi Marine, Joseph Marotta, V. Kim Martinez, Raymond Morales, Martin Novak, John O’Connell, Andrew Rice, Brian Snapp, Carol Sogard, Paul Stout, Maureen O’Hara Ure and Wendy Wischer.

The exhibition is supported by the University of Utah College of Fine Arts and the Department of Art and Art History. Salt Lake City Gallery Stroll is a community partner. For more information, please visit umfa.utah.edu or art.utah.edu.