NextThreeDays: Event Display

Opening Reception: Now I Lay Me... with Artist and Sculptor Charlie Brouwer
Venue: Squires Student Center, Blacksburg
Directions: Google Map Link
Date: Friday, May 10, 2013
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Event Types: Arts & Theatre, Speaking Engagements
Cost: Free
Description:
The Perspective Art Gallery located within the Squires Student Center hosts the opening reception for artist and sculptor Charlie Brouwer on Friday, May 10th.

The art exhibit "Now I Lay Me..." is in two parts. The sculpture portion of Charlie's exhibit is on display at the Perspective Art Gallery and his drawings from the exhibit are on display at Mish Mish located at 125 North Main in downtown Blacksburg, Virginia.

Artist Statement:
In the last 5 years I have done 7 public art projects that involved building structures out of 100's of ladders loaned to me by the members of communities. Our goal was to represent the way a sense of community occurs when there is a mutual agreement to support each other's hopes and dreams. Those projects involved a looking out of myself to find my place among others while Now I Lay Me... involves a looking into myself in search of my place in the universe.

It all started in my studio when I constructed a reclining figure suspended up in some ladders. The ladders are part of my collection of 100 old orchard ladders that were given to me by Frank Levering, owner of Levering Orchard of Ararat, VA. By building with screws I have been able to create temporary installations with the ladders in a wide variety of spaces. This is the 7th installation I have made with them since 2006.

After the installation stood in my studio for a few weeks, I decided on the title Now I Lay Me... and I began a series of 30 drawings. Like all of my work, the drawings are extensions of my life - explorations of my past, present, and future. I make art to discover where I have been, what I think, and where I am going. I try to pay attention to my life and surroundings in hopes of catching a glimpse of meaning. Some of the things that appeared in the drawings include my childhood bedroom, the factory where my grandfather worked and his garden, the church I attended as I grew up, a flower from my garden, and lots of clouds, stars, leaves, trees, houses and roads. Since this work was to be shown first at Whitespace gallery in Atlanta, some subject matter came from Atlanta. The writings on the drawings (some are my own and some are quotes from others) were put there because, for me, they extended the meaning and the mystery.

For more information on Charlie, visit: http://charliebrouwer.com

The exhibit will be on display at both locations through May 28, 2013.

The Perspective Art Gallery is located on the second floor of the Squires Student Center.

For more information, visit: http://www.studentcenters.vt.edu/perspectivegallery/shows/charliebrouwer.php or http://www.mishmish.com/Art%20Show.html