Spiritual Fluctuations: A Structure by Which the Art of One’s Life Can be Experienced
Detail, “Self-Portrait,” acrylic on canvas with wire, 16” x 48”, 2011
January 8 – February 19, 2012
Sculpture, painting and installations by Bill Wells will be exhibited at Spalding University’s Huff Gallery from January 8 – February 19, 2012. The artist’s reception will be Sunday, January 15, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. A series of related events including film showings and a panel discussion will also take place during the exhibit.
“Spiritual Fluctuations” reflects upon the idea of time, “beginning and becoming,” with a reverence for the greater spiritual nature of how we experience life as a cosmic question in the challenges of this era of modernity. Wells’ multi-media approach is a reflection of his inter- weaving of social advocacy planning and art making. Foremost in Wells’ work, whether it be the art of planning within the community of citizens with disabilities or his volunteer work with transportation committees, is the struggle to realize an art that reflects the flows of the “how’s” and then the “why’s” of nature’s locomotion.
Wells was born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1952 and earned his Master’s Degree in Regional and Resource Planning at the University of Waterloo, Ontario in 1984. He has lived in Louisville, Kentucky since 1989. Wells has been involved in advocacy and planning work with many groups and organizations including: The Justice Resource Center, the Consumer Advisory Board with the Kentucky Department of Protection and Advocacy and the KY State Vocational Rehabilitation Department Advisory Board. Additionally he was a founding board member of the Louisville Metro Disabilities Coalition, and president of the now defunct Advocates Taking Action in Kentucky Against Mental Illness. Wells attributes his curiosity of the art making process to his physician, Rex Lagerstrom M.D., and John Nef, Founder of the Committee on Social Thought at the University of Chicago. A predominantly self-taught artist, Wells has practiced photography and music since childhood, and most recently has taken classes at the Kentucky School of Art at Spalding University.
Related Events:
Panel Discussion: “The Crossroads in Art and Healing”
In conjunction with “Spiritual Fluctuations”, a panel discussion called “The Crossroads in Art and Healing” will take place on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the Library Lecture Lounge, located next to the Huff Gallery. The panel will include physician and artist, Rex Lagerstrom, M.D.; Skip Cawein, artist; Jerry Hay, educator; and Mr. Wells.
Film Series: brown bag lunch and discussion
Library Lecture Lounge – 11:40 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 17th - “Once in a Lifetime” (In Honor of MLK)
A film by the artist, Mark Birnbaum from Dallas, Texas captures the narrative of a beautiful learning experience. The documentary chronicles eight Lincoln High School students’ journey to China. The Dallas Observer stated “These kids experience an extraordinary adventure…it’s about culture shock and having kids go into these extreme cultural situations and find their feet and become aware and become leaders.” (2009)
Tuesday, January 24th - “ Fractals: The Colors of Infinity”
“The Mandlebrot set–someone has called it the thumbprint of God–is one of the most beautiful and remarkable discoveries in the entire history of mathematics. With Arthur C. Clarke as narrator and interviews with a number of notable mathematicians, including Benoit Mandelbrot, this program graphically illustrates how simple formulas can lead to complicated results: it explains the set, what it means, its internal consistency, and the revolutions in thought resulting from its discovery. Asked if the real universe goes on forever, Stephen Hawking defines its limit of smallness; the Mandlebrot set, on the other hand, may go on forever.” (1997)
Tuesday, January 31st - “Sacred Spaces: The Architecture of Fay Jones”
A documentary of the life of AIA Gold Medal-winning teacher and architect Fay Jones of Fayetteville, Arkansas. This documentary has a rich insight into creativity and how a profession is challenged to see all space as sacred. Produced by Larry Foley and Dale Carpenter in collaboration with the Fay Jones School of Architecture and the University of Arkansas Press. “Robert Ivy, editor-and-chief, Architectural Record, stated “Human made, in harmony with nature, distinctly American, conceived by a strong individualist for individual clients, … Jones‘ organic architecture carries forward a philosophical, artistic tradition. At its best, it accepts the Romantic legacy and moves beyond it, transforming the world one place and one building at a time.” (2009)
Tuesday, February 7th - “Healing Through the Arts”
A documentary made by Dave Channon in Catskill, NY, of the 1997 “Healing Through Expressive Arts Conference” of mental health consumers. The documentary tells the stories of the participants and the impact of creating art in their lives. The organization, National Artists for Mental Health, Inc. focused on artistic expression and time-honored holistic practices which generated phenomenal results and stories about the empowerment gained through creating one’s art. (1997)
Addiitonal information: http://spalding.edu/visitors/huff-gallery
The Huff Gallery is free and open to the public.
The Huff Gallery is located in the Spalding Library, 853 Library Lane, between Fourth and Third Streets and Breckinridge and York Streets http://www.spalding.edu/campus-map/. The gallery is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. For information about the gallery contact Joyce Ogden at (502) 873-4436 or e-mail jogden@spalding.edu.
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