SURFACE TREATMENT: UVAL Artist in Residence Exhibit

In the Zuni culture, fetish carvings represent the animal spirit thought to reside in the stone. Joe Taylor was inspired by this traditional concept for his series of bear fetish wall pieces. These, and works by Mary Ellen Rioux and Gloria J. Dietrich are included in the “Artist in Residence Exhibition” currently at the UVAL Kika De La Garza Fine Arts Center.

Taylor’s fetish pieces are bold ventures into a graphic assemblage style emphasizing color and shape. Sandia, a blue bear fetish, sports a symbolic obsidian spearhead strapped to its body. A red and black jagged arrow moves from the mouth inward with rich color and tones reflecting the strength of the subject. Tesuque maintains the traditional bear fetish shape, but the design suggests Taylor’s love of Native American jewelry.

The fetishes are images to bring into the home as positive influences; by their presence in the home, the bear fetish may give strength to its owner. “Every animal is recognized as a fetish figure by the Zuni. Kirk Clark does crosses; I can do fetishes.”

Gloria Dietrich is showing several ink drawings and assemblages. Dietrich’s assemblages, Isabella’s Tea Time and Game Show, are both beautifully crafted works that that express the spirit of play.

“Pen and ink is my first love,” confessed Dietrich. “But I’m into texture and that seemed to lead me into assemblage.” She considers her recent pen and ink Images series as assemblages - that’s her connection between assemblage and ink. The drawings are portraits, using various objects within the space to symbolize what the individual is about. Images ll is her self-portrait. The flower symbolizes the artist; all the objects in the drawing lead the viewer back to the flower through a loosely constructed spiral. “If you know me well,” said Dietrich, “you know that I am a loosely constructed spiral.”

The far right wall displays Mary Ellen Rioux’ Discord/Discards corset pieces. Constructed of palm fronds, they represent the casting off of earlier restrictions against equality for women. Rioux also shows cast sculpture. Ponder, a head cast in Vatican Stone, captures a thoughtful facial expression. Rioux explained, “Vatican Stone is a very hard material like a plaster with ground up granite, sometimes marble, in it. I usually carve on it after I pull the cast out. I always see something else that I want to make different. So I take the knife to it and go to town.” Rioux also shows several small figure sculptures and multiples.

These three artists maintain studios at the Center, and this event showcases their work in sculpture, mixed media, drawing, and painting. The exhibit is thoughtfully installed, allowing for maximum perusal of each artist’s work.

“Artist in Residence Exhibition”                                       

Where: Upper Valley Art League, Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center,  921 E. 12th Street, Mission                                       

When: through July 25. Hours are Tues - Thurs 4:30-7 pm; Sat 2-6 pm               

Contact: (956)583-2987 or uval_mission.texas@yahoo.com         

Nancy Moyer, Professor Emerita of Art from UTPA, is an art critic for The Monitor. She may be reached at nmoyer@rgv.rr.com