Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Stephen F. Austin State University will present the work of Keisha Brathwaite, Erik Ordaz and Aldo Ornelas in “T3RNION: In Hindsight: Non-Visible Patch Points, Surface Levels, Journey & Connections.”
All three artists earned their M.F.A. degrees from the SFA School of Art last year. The show is open Sept. 1 through Oct. 3 in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House.
Ordaz, from Mexico City, is an adjunct faculty member in the School of Art. “In Hindsight: Non-visible Patch Points” is the result of his research and work with the concepts of balance, space, form and connection. It is also the result of his experience “working with modular synthesizers, finding similarities in the way I work with such instruments and the thoughts behind this series,” he said.
“The exhibition is composed of seven ceramic vessels that present a sequence of movements and marks that speak to the history of their literal journey in becoming an object,” Ordaz said. “Visible circular shapes refer to connection points that create a nonlinear map of relationships between the work.”
Brathwaite, a native from the Caribbean, describes her collection “Surface Levels” as “depictions of unobserved and imperceptible realities of many phytoplankton exteriors.”
“The exhibition explores various structures, textures and repetitious forms from microscopic surfaces of objects that cannot be seen with unaided eyes,” she said. “Electron microscopy is used to perceive and analyze these otherwise unseeable surfaces in depth. Magnifications provide a reference in creating three- and two-dimensional works that are minimalistic and abstract at a visible level. This abstract 3D/2D image collection is translated into material expressions using acrylic sheets, acrylic ink and wood as the main media for construction of individual works. Collectively, they serve to make the invisible visible.”
Brathwaite is a freelance graphic designer and intends to continue teaching graphic design and media arts at the tertiary level.
Ornelas, who is from Chihuahua, Mexico, is a full time studio assistant in the School of Art. He describes his “Journey & Connections” collection as “a series of work comprised of ceramic sculptures that explore my personal experiences in relation to the human figure, immigration and nature, as well as experiences influenced by my continuous travels between my country of origin and the United States.”
“This exhibition is composed of a wall installation and a series of three sculptures that resemble monoliths, strong and expressive figures of spiritual origin that represent important figures in life, sources of wisdom and stelae that connect to the earth,” Ornelas said.
SFA art exhibitions are free of charge. Sponsors include the Friends of the Visual Arts, William Arscott and the Nacogdoches Junior Forum.
The Cole Art Center is SFA’s historic downtown art gallery located at 329 E. Main St. Gallery hours are 12:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cole Art Center patrons will be required to wear a mask, practice social distancing, comply with designated entrance and exit routes and follow all other CDC guidelines, including maximum capacity restrictions.
For more information, call (936) 468-1131.