Friday, June 26th to August 1st, 2015
Round Trip is a multifaceted exhibition that will begin with the re-construction and re-imagination of a tree using numerous pieces and parts of different locally harvested trees. The constructed sculpture will divide the gallery into multiple spaces to create areas of dialogue around the consumption and connections to nature via Dehaemers and Cowardin’s collaborative works. The exhibition will be concluded by harvesting the lumber from the trees that will then be transformed, through workshops, to construct a series of small and large purposeful structures for a community space (i.e. a park or community garden).
For photos of the event, check out our flickr.
Opening Reception: Friday, June 26, 2015
Time: 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Where: la Esquina, 1000 W. 25th Street, KCMO
Exhibition Dates: June 26-August 1, 2015
Gallery Hours: Thursday: 11 a.m. -6 p.m.; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 12-5 p.m
Mark Cowardin is a father, a husband, an artist, and an educator. His studio practice consists of an essential and delicate balance of these four jobs. Cowardin’s sculptural work observes the complicated, sometimes troubling, and always compelling intersection between humans and the natural world. Cowardin received an MFA in sculpture from the University of Arizona and a BFA from the University of Kansas. An associate professor of art at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Cowardin resides with his family in Lawrence, Kansas. His work is included in numerous private and public collections including the John Michael Kohler Art Center, Kohler Corporation, the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, and Rockhurst University. www.markcowardin.com
Matthew Dehaemers employs a vast arsenal of mediums, from water, wood, steel, and bread, to recycled glass and water bottles. Inspired by aspects of history, contemporary issues and community life, his goal is to make art that operates on different levels of audience engagement. Dehaemers has been awarded a Kansas Arts Commission Fellowship, a Joan Mitchell Fellowship as well as a number of residencies around the country including the Delaware Center for Contemporary Art, the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art and most recently a studio resident at Studios Inc in Kansas City, Missouri. Dehaemers has completed numerous public artworks in the local region including “Point of Departure” for the Avenue of the Arts program, “Seven Sentinels” for the KCMO Public Arts Commission, “Catalyst” for the KCATA Troost Max, “Detour” for the MoDot I-44 Welcome Center of Joplin, as well a work for the MoDot 1-29 Welcome Center of Rockport, a piece for the Johnson County Public Art Commission and the redevelopment of Corinth Square in Prairie Village. www.matthewdehaemers.com
