Valerie Mann, May - June 2009

Valerie Mann FORTUNES and Other Visual Responses *Fortunes* vintage baby gowns, embroidery floss, wood, wire, clothesline, cable 8"h x 25'w x 10'd installed, dimensions variable by Valerie Mann	May 12 - June 21, 2009 Opening Reception: Friday, May 29, 7-10 pm Artist Gallery Talk: Sunday, May 31, 2 pm Also showing are all gallery member-artists, and the following visiting artists: Ruthanne Baker, Andrea Novak, Fran Wolok, Jeff Wolf, Maria Ruggiero and Geoff Merrill

Artist's Statement: "One of the things I am interested in is how people transcend and transform their specific situations. All of us are born into situations that are out of our control for a certain period of time – our fortunes. There comes a point where we can steer our situations, move beyond them. I am interested in how we as parents and adults in society teach the next generations to cope. What do we teach them by our actions or inaction? Every one of these fortunes is about someone I know - or myself. Many times, several of the fortunes apply to one person. How is it that someone can be 'orphaned at a young age', 'cherished by many people' and 'always share {their} wisdom at the right time'?" -- Valerie Mann

FORTUNES is an installation piece of 50 vintage children's gowns with "fortunes" embroidered on them. Accompanying the installation are framed collagraphs using garment and garment fabrication imagery and some chine colle technique under the ink. This exhibition also includes wall-hung mixed media pieces from Ms. Mann’s "quilt" series – inspired by nature and landscape, as well as sculpture from her "Evening Bags for the Midwestern Woman" series. Alternative art materials feature prominently in the work. Materials such as rubber from inner tubes, wax, reclaimed lumber and other found objects are incorporated into her work, which celebrates color, texture and pattern.

*Fortunes, detail* vintage baby gowns, embroidery floss, wood, wire, clothesline, cable 8"h x 25'w x 10'd installed, dimensions variable by Valerie Mann		*Fortunes, detail* vintage baby gowns, embroidery floss, wood, wire, clothesline, cable 8"h x 25'w x 10'd installed, dimensions variable by Valerie Mann

*Fortunes, detail* vintage baby gowns, embroidery floss, wood, wire, clothesline, cable 8"h x 25'w x 10'd installed, dimensions variable by Valerie Mann		*Fortunes, detail* vintage baby gowns, embroidery floss, wood, wire, clothesline, cable 8"h x 25'w x 10'd installed, dimensions variable by Valerie Mann

Alphabet No. 6 wood, latex paint, gold leaf, rubber, collage, ink, found objects 72"h x 92"w x 3"d, dimensions variable by Valerie Mann		Alphabet No. 6, detail wood, latex paint, gold leaf, rubber, collage, ink, found objects 72"h x 92"w x 3"d, dimensions variable by Valerie Mann

*Climbing Tree in Spring* wood, rubber, latex paint, nails 37"h x 50"w x 2" by Valerie Mann		Click here to see work by other artists in the gallery >>