by Jessica Robles
This October, the College of the Sequoias Art Gallery will be presenting the exhibition Utopia: Dystopia featuring works by Erik Waterkotte and Aaron S. Coleman. Using their backgrounds in printmaking, each artist creates layered imagery that deals with a variety of social, religious and political issues of our modern day society. The Exhibition will run from October 1 through October 25 with a reception on Thursday, October 3 from 5-7 p.m. in the Kaweah building on the College of the Sequoias campus in Room 214. As always, the reception is FREE and open to the public.
Erik Waterkotte received his M.F.A. from the University of Alberta, his B.F.A. from the Illinois State University and studied at the University of Wolverhampton, England. Waterkotte has shown both nationally and internationally. His work is part of several university collections and he has participated in numerous print portfolios. Erik is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Art and Minnesota State University, Mankato. He has been a Visiting Assistant Professor at Indiana University, Bloomington and has held workshops and lectures at several universities throughout the United States. Erik has also been the recipient of a Minnesota State Arts Board Grant.
"Invocation of a Demon" Lightbox and Digital Transparency Film by Erik Waterkotte
Erik’s work alludes to fantastic, magical and mysterious spaces. Juxtaposed and submerged in prints and mixed media works are images from the films, heavy metal album art, the Mormon Tabernacle, alchemical symbolism and ancient ruins. Using appropriation, collage, mixed print media, digital applications and video projection, Waterkotte creates layered imagery that both elucidates and obscures.
Aaron S. Coleman is an artist and printmaker living in Dekalb, Illinois. He received his Master of Fine Arts degree from Northern Illinois University in the spring of 2013. Aaron is a mixed media printmaker utilizing mezzotint, lithography, intaglio, relief and serigraphy to create works focused on political and social commentary. He combines imagery from comic books and stained glass windows to raise questions concerning misconstrued belief systems and twisted moral values in our society.
Aaron stays in tune with the printmaking community, organizing portfolio exchanges and exhibiting both nationally and internationally. In 2012, he organized an international mezzotint exchange titled, “Both Sides of the Brain,” which hosted 17 artists from 6 different countries. The portfolio was exhibited across the U.S. at several universities and galleries including the Washington Printmakers Gallery.
"Giving Up The Ghost" Archival Inkjet Print by Aaron Coleman
He has exhibited at the Liu Haisu Art Museum in Shanghai, China and was invited to participate in the sixth and seventh International Printmaking Biennial of Douro in Alijo, Portugal. Aaron’s work can be found in the collections of The University of Colorado, Wichita State University and the Ino-cho Paper Museum in Kochi, Japan.
Erik Waterkotte and Aaron S. Coleman can be contacted by email or via their websites where you can view more of their work:
Erik Watterkotte – Website: www.erikwaterkotte.com
Email: erik@erikwaterkotte[dot]com
Aaron S. Coleman – Website: www.aaroncolemanprintmaking.com
Email: momenttom@yahoo[dot]com
The COS Art Gallery is located on the bottom floor of the Kaweah building, Room 214 on the College of the Sequoias Visalia Campus. There will be FREE parking during the night of the reception in parking lots 3 and 7. If you are visiting the gallery during the day, there is 20 minute FREE parking available in lot 3 on the corner of Mooney Blvd. and Meadow Lane.
Gallery hours are Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Thursday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. For any questions or information regarding the show, you may call the COS Art Gallery at 559-737-4861 or email jessicar@cos[dot]edu. Visit the COS website at www.cos.edu. Don’t forget to ‘like’ us on Facebook to receive news on upcoming events.
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