Four different takes

‘Elemental Perspectives’ brings nature theme to the Visual Arts Gallery

The MHCC Visual Arts Gallery has a taste of four major art forms –painting, jewelry, pottery, and sculpture – at this month’s exhibit, called “Elemental Perspectives.”

Four different artists represent each form and seem to have a common nature theme throughout the show, demonstrating a unique style to discover in every piece. Artist-technicians Jen Fuller, Rob Johnson, Dan Maghiari, and Shelby Wilson all have very different approaches, yet each of their pieces flow together beautifully in the exhibit.

Jen Fuller’s life-size, glass sculptures catch a visitor’s eye upon first entering the gallery. Airplanes are soaring up the walls, and other glass pieces represent a scent of nature with antlers lining the room. She also includes a wide display of colorful glass leaves, all with close detail in the veins. Her style is very modern and seems to have a hint of mythology in pieces like “Oh Deer,” a glass centaur and a deer with a human face.

Maghiari shows another spectrum of nature with his colorfully painted “Bubble” series, of acrylic strategically splattered on canvas. His glossy colors capture loads of attention and also have a very modern appeal to them with their abstract qualities and large size. Each painting seems to highlight primary colors with subtle backgrounds making them pop even more.

Similar to Fuller, the sculptor, Wilson is a jewelry technician who sculpts small, detailed pieces of jewelry, including earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Matching the overriding theme of the exhibit, his work targets nature lovers with earthy tones and elegant patterns. The jewelry is displayed alongside tree branches on the shelves, creating an image as if the gems came right out of the ground, in a stylish way, of course.

Finally, Johnson contributes to the exhibit with unique pottery that matches the nature appeal. He breaks the mold by not sticking just to the common bowls and dishes that a lot of potters create. He also does a version of sculpting, with sharp textures and intricate patterns.

The “Elemental Perspectives” exhibit will run through Feb. 1 at the Visual Arts Gallery. It is open and free to the public, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

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