Recycled and Restructured

Meet the Artists, View the Detritus
copyright Methow Valley News - March 5, 2008

After seeing how many artists take ordinary objects and the detritus of contemporary life and turn them into art, you may never toss out anything again.

The art exhibit "Recycled and Restructured" opens in Twisp on Saturday, March 8th, with a reception for artists, visitors, and the community from 4 to 8 pm.

By reinterpreting random materials - scraps of plastic and remnants from packaging, ribbons and beads, hardware and wire, costume jewelry and feathers - assemblage artists bring an unexpected perspective to the modern world.

Some artists use these discards to make a social and political comment on the world. Others take the trash of modern life and, by assembling it in new ways, find beauty in shiny scraps of plastic and coils of wire.

Curator Caryl Campbell has invited internationally renowned assemblage artist Marita Dingus to exhibit. Dingus, who has work in the collection of the Seattle Art Museum, uses mixed-media sculptures to focus on issues including slavery and poverty amongst African-American children.

Local and regional artists working in collage and assembly, including Dan Brown, Terry Hunt and Barbara Barnes Allen, will also be featured in the exhibit.

Dingus will also lead a two-hour workshop for children where little people will be inspired to make more little people from objects such as fabric, buttons, shells and feathers. Her class for children is Saturday, March 8th, from 10 am to noon. Scholarships are available, based on financial need.