How to go
What: “Recent Works” by Stephanie McGuinness and “Bonding” by Tiffany Clark
Where: Rosewood Gallery, 2655 Olson Drive, Kettering
When: Continues through July 24
Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays
More info: 937-296-0294 or www.playkettering.org/gallery/
A dual exhibition at Kettering’s Rosewood Gallery is all about moments. One show is about pivotal moments in our own lives, while the other peers into revealing moments in strangers’ lives.
Artworks by Tiffany Clark of Dayton and Stephanie McGuinness of Englewood are currently featured.
For inspiration, McGuinness collects discarded notes and lists she finds in public spaces. The contents, and even the shape and condition of the paper, give her insights as to how to proceed with the works themselves.
“[This process] has granted me limited access to intimate and honest moments of strangers’ lives,” said McGuinness. “Using these found documents, I create narratives told through the environments of a house. Viewers are granted access to personal spaces, but hover slightly outside of the frame, unconnected to its inhabitants.”
McGuinness begins by writing about what she’s found, then drawing, and finally painting on canvas. “Coming of Age” is a large-scale oil on canvas, with multi-colored geometric tile to add interest. The bright hues of the baby bath, bathtub, and razor with packet are the focal points of the piece. This viewer saw a poignant visual of a daughter growing up.
“The paintings in this show are mostly based on two found documents that I like to think of as my primary resources. They provide a space for me to connect with other people about common and often difficult experiences,” said McGuinness. “It is important for me to find the documents myself, and for the authors to remain a mystery to me.”
McGuinness holds a bachelor of fine arts in painting from Wright State University, and a masters of fine art from Miami University.
Clark is exhibiting a series of ink and paper collages entitled “Bonding.” One, “The Fear of Silence,” shows a woman pulling a long string out of her ear. The subject is surrounded by books and recording devices. Many of her works are inspired by music, and she includes lyrics as the emotional backdrop and titles of her works.
“I illustrate moments in our lives and the neuro-chemicals released, hopefully gaining a greater understanding of the science behind our most potent emotions,” said Clark. “Using my unique collage style, my images become a surrealistic mix of illustration and anatomy art.”
In addition to her collages, Clark is showing several clay works. In one series, “Adrenocorticotropic IV,” two clay pots bearing chemical designs are joined by human muscle-like tendons.
In addition to her artwork, Clark is busy working as an instructor at Decoy Art Studio, the Bellbrook business she and her husband created.
“I am excited to have my work paired with Tiffany Clark’s work, because we both have similar conceptual interests,” said McGuinness. “I found her work both beautiful and stimulating.”
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