In Print & Thread - Rachael Rush and Liz Wagoner

At the Harrison Center for the Arts, two Herron School of Art + Design students are exhibiting their body of work In Print and Thread in Hank and Dolly's Gallery.  Rachael Rush and Liz Wagoner, both recently accepted at Columbus College of Art and Design, are showcasing works of prints and fibermaking. Rush first started at Herron as an art education major.  As she began taking more painting classes, she decided that painting was a better fit.  Yet, as Rush became heavily involved in the process of painting she discovered her affinity for mixing mediums and began incorporating mixed media in her studio practice - printmaking, drawing, and painting.  Her work in the show exhibits elements of each.

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Cycles, mixed media, Rachael Rush

Her current work develops out of her approach to modern studio work.  She believes a modern artist is diversified in their work - her mixed media is the outworking of that.  And her pieces from In Print and Thread incorporate many techniques she has studied at Herron.

Rush's work represents habits found in her personal life.  The woodcut prints, the acrylic paint, the fiber and other materials create flowing patterns in the wood and silkscreen prints.  These patterns represent memories of situations in her life.  She said, "Habits that are unconsciously formed versus the idea of change to alter one's habits is linked together in the use of pattern within this work."  Like habits, the patterns range in scale and quantity.

Beginning at Herron as a photography major, Liz Wagoner soon discovered that she was interested in more mediums -- printmaking, painting, and photography.IMG_1937

Fragmented, photo-silkscreen on fabric, Liz Wagoner

Inspired by mental health awareness, Wagoner is using printmaking, textiles, and paint to bring attention to mental health issues.  "What I really want my audience to get from my work is to be more accepting of others who are 'odd,'" she said.  She wants the audience to have a better understanding of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), depression, and Alzheimer's disease.  Suffering herself from ADD and depression, these issues, for Wagoner, are personally important.  She said, "By making work about depression and ADD in particular, I meditate while making the work."

Her pieces are colorful and visually chaotic.  One piece in particular is about her grandmother.  "I made that piece extremely raw and fragmented to visually show the choppiness and distortion Alzheimer's disease has on it's sufferers," she noted.  The piece is quilt-like; silkscreened photographs on fabric.

This show includes a wide array of techniques presented by Wagoner and Rush.  Wagoner highlights actor John Wayne in two photo-silkscreened canvases.  Rush showcases more three-dimensional art - wood or paper coming off the canvas.  All art reflects both of their talent and time spent at Herron School of Art + Design.

The art hangs through April 26th in Hank and Dolly's Gallery (hours are 9-5pm, Mon-Fri).  Come visit Rush's and Wagoner's beautiful work as well as the many other galleries at the Harrison Center.  For more information visit us online at http://www.harrisoncenter.org/