By Lauren Shook
A&E Editor

Yet another thought-provoking exhibit has come to the Madelon Powers Art Gallery in the Fine and Performing Art Center. Sean Turrell’s paintings and sculptures are on display for the first time at ESU for those in need of a healthy dose of art.

Professor Oye-Benintende, Director of Madelon Powers Art Gallery, learned of Turrell’s artwork through a coworker.

“I was introduced to him by one of our colleagues in the department, David Mazure, who was active in one of the art galleries downtown,” stated Oye-Benintende.

Upon entering the gallery, there is a wide variety of artwork present. Flyers are placed by the entrance matching artwork to titles and their subsequent prices.

Paintings range in size from massive, looming pieces to those so small they could fit in your hand. However, even the smallest artworks are sure to capture your attention.

“He’s a very multi-faceted artist,” said Oye-Benintende, “He does a lot of two-dimensional work.”

Materials used to create the artwork vary greatly. Several paintings have been composed on cardboard. Interesting images splayed across such a common substance form a unique duo.

However, that is not the only object Turrell has used to create his paintings. Upon the back wall of the gallery hang over 60 tiles, each with their own captivating, and often eerie, imagery.

Paintings are created with anything from bright colors to simple black and white. They range in content from portraits to skulls.

An interesting aspect of this exhibit is that all paintings featured are untitled. This leaves even more room for your own personal interpretation of the artwork.

However, paintings and wall tiles aren’t the only spotlights in this exhibit.

Sculptures are arranged both on the ground floor of the Madelon Powers Art Gallery and also in the above mezzanine. They range in size from medium, intricate carvings to large, looming statues that likely stand taller than you.

With titles such as “Stoic Don’t You Think” and “On Top of Her Pedestal She Screams,” these sculptures take on a life of their own.

Sculptures feature shades of brown and black, swirling in captivating ways to create inspiring pieces of art.

So far, there has been a lot of positive feedback with regard to Turrell’s exhibit.

“The Madelon Powers Art Gallery has a Facebook page, and there have been some comments,” said Oye-Benintende. “There have been a lot of positive reactions to it; people locally, especially.”

Oye-Benintende also stated that the benefit of having community artist exhibits encourages more locals and students to attend the gallery.

According to Turrell’s official website, he has earned the award of Best in Salon in the 2003 Malta International Art Biennale, and has also been a guest photographer for the University of Florida.

Upon visiting this site, Seanturrell.com, you can view even more paintings and sculptures not featured in the exhibit, along with his photography.

The next exhibit coming to the Madelon Powers Art Gallery, “Cell Block Visions,” will begin on Nov. 1, and will feature artwork created by prisoners. Oye-Benintende stated that “As a part of the Provost Colloquium Series, the curator and the workshop facilitator for that exhibit is going to come in and talk to the community on Nov. 3.”

The Sean Turrell Paintings and Sculpture Exhibit will continue in the Madelon Powers Art Gallery through Oct. 28.

The gallery is open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is free to the public.

See it before it’s too late!

Email Lauren at:
lshook2@live.esu.edu