A Reunion of Sorts: Our Show at the Directions Gallery through Feb

Installing our show in the Directions gallery. Christy is on the ladder dealing with the lights, Barbara is working on installing her piece on the wall.

Ladies from the 80’s (and 90)

This past weekend, Barbara Gilhooly, Christy Martell, and I hung our group show in the Directions Gallery at the CSU Visual Arts Building in Fort Collins.  We were all in grad school together at CSU in the late 1980’s, Christy and Barbara graduated in 1989 and I finished my MFA in 1990.

The work each of us is doing now is much different from our grad school days.  In fact, all of us are currently working in different mediums than we got our MFA’s in.  Barbara and I are Printmaking/Sculpture grads and she’s now making carved paintings on wood, wire sculptures, and various other 3D mighty fine art, while I’m currently working in textiles.  And Christy is a painting grad but is currently making scuplture – using wood, encaustic, and repurposed books.

Christy working to secure one of her book sculptures on wheels to the pedestal for display.

For this “reunion” show, Christy included several of her 3D book sculptures (she has another solo show hanging right now at Gallery Bleu through end of Feb, featuring many of her wall sculptures), I hung several of my latest textile paintings, and Barbara installed one of her large wire sculpture wall installation pieces along one of the large walls in the gallery.

Barbara attaching one of her wire "doodles" to the wall. One of Christy's book sculptures is displayed on the pedestal at left.

Here’s a photo of Barbara’s wall installation – She first installed the wood “landing pads” and then each wire “flag” and “doodle” had to be placed and attached separately:

Wire and Wood Installation ©Barbara Gilhooly

And a few more shots of the show. (The walls of the gallery are carpeted, so that’s what caused some of the photos to have the “spirograph” effect – it’s a “free feature”.):

(L to R) One of Christy's scupltures, one of my textile paintings, and another of Christy's sculptures along one gallery wall.

Textile paintings ©Ayn Hanna and a pedestal ready for one of Christy's sculptures.

Book sculpture ©Christy Martell and Textile paintings ©Ayn Hanna.

We think our work is very symbiotic and exhibits really well together.  Would you agree?

The show is up through the end of Feb at the Directions gallery in the Visual Arts Building, CSU Campus in Fort Collins.  We may plan a show closing reception at the end of Feb, and if so, will publicize that here and on facebook.

Also, for those in the Minneapolis area, we will all 3 be showing our work at Gallery 360 later this year.  Opening on Nov 10th, Barbara will be the featured artist with a solo show in the main gallery space while Christy and I plan to join a few other artists in hanging our works in a group show in the front gallery area.

For those in the Denver area, I am also exhibiting my work in a Surface Design Association juried textile show, “Facets of Fiber” at the John Jellico Gallery, Art Institute of Colorado, through Feb 26.  I haven’t had a chance to see this show yet myself, but hear it’s a really great show, so stop by if you can make it.

Please stop by to see the show(s) this month if you can.  And if you do make it to the show, I’d love to hear any feedback you have on our work.

Thanks!