Unique collections brighten up Catich
Erin Tiesman
Issue date: 2/8/07 Section: Features
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The "Collecting Inspiration" show began on Jan. 17, and will run through March 2. Personal collections from the SAU art faculty are on display from Tuesday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
"They were not allowed to bring in their own creations," Catich Gallery curator Heather Phillips said. "They brought in pieces of art that were bought, traded, given as gifts, etc. to share in the gallery."
Art department chair Leslie Bell has been noted as the "brainchild" behind the show.
"Les [Bell] was inspired by ArtNews magazine, where they did an article about collecting art," Phillips said. "Les understands things on a bigger picture, and he understands the art scene in the Quad-Cities as an artist who's lived here for years."
The Catich Gallery displays an array of paintings, found objects and drawings. Faculty members that contributed the art were Leslie Bell, Jeff VanEchaute, Amy Nielsen, Drew Starenko, Kat Anderson, Jodean Rousey, Marilyn Davis and Ron Chappell.
"These are a small sampling of things I find beautiful, challenging, mysterious or taunting," Bell said in regards to his collection. "They each attest to the intelligence and individuality of their maker and yet cross a void between them and me."
The art comes from all over the world, including a Japanese found object piece created in the late 20th century, as part of Jeff VanEchaute's collection.
This particular piece was created from an old Japanese pinball machine called pachinko, created sometime after World War II, which also played like slot machine with prizes for the winner.
"The objective of this showing of items from the collections of the faculty members [of the SAU art department] is to provide a sampling of those who have chosen to make an aesthetic investment," Phillips said.
Works of the nine faculty members that donated to the show are laid out in sets of three.
"As you tour the gallery, the parameters for this exhibition will become self-evident," Phillips said. "The trios you will see are as unique as the individuals who acquired them."
Themes like Kristin Quinn's collection of "Artforms in Nature," is a harmonious representation of botany and architecture.
Marilyn Davis' collection includes Chinese art and Asian history.
Davis also had the chance to meet her painter through her connections with the Iowa Artisans Gallery in Iowa City.
Davis said the artist is "a story teller and many of her paintings combine na've elements of children's drawings with ambiguous, darker imagery."
In promotion of the current exhibition, Phillips plans on hosting a Brown Bag discussion on Feb. 23, at 6 p.m.
The panel discussion will be hosted by Phillips and three local collectors and advisors at the Figge. The discussion is to help students and young professionals begin the first steps in art collecting. More information will be available at a later date.
"The Catich Gallery is extremely valuable to the St. Ambrose community," Phillips said. "It connects the art of the Quad-Cities to the art of the university."
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