Words have intertwined with visual artwork for millennia. In the latter half of the 20th century, artists began using text as the primary pictorial component of their work. Diversity of media, subject, and content abound in, Image & Word. This juried group show highlights work by 20 artists from 6 states exploring written language in their visual art practice.

Text-based art can be categorized into two groups. The first group includes words alongside representational imagery to narrate or recontextualize the subject. Cheryl Kinderknecht’s mixed media painting, “Mimsy Crashed Her Bike,” places text alongside a mangled bicycle, allowing the viewer to place the imagery within a greater narrative context. Words have the ability to draw a viewer in, allowing one to see phrases in a new way. “Get Lost” is often an impolite way of telling someone to leave, but Raul Barquet interjects this phrase within a globe formed of repurposed road maps. This pairing creates wordplay, taking on a more positive message of encouraging wanderlust.

The second group utilizes text as art object and the primary visual component. Abstracted bubble letters take center stage in Erin Hoffman’s glass work, “Verbose.” Karen Warwick utilizes text as subject in her contemplative acrylic painting, “Superseding Ego.” Elizabeth Clare Taylor highlights seemingly mundane Post-It-Notes in her colorful acrylic painting, “Stacked Realities #1.” Dennis Mader’s conceptual mixed media work, “Green Space,” utilizes nature-oriented words and shades of green to plant visual representation within the mind.

Other artists featured in this exhibition utilize the idea of the book, bringing written word back to its origins. Sarojini Jha Johnson and David Johnson are exhibiting artist books comprised of text and printmaking illustrations. Suzanne Sidebottom utilizes trompe l'oeil in her highly detailed porcelain sculptures of note books. Raymond Papka works with found object and collaged book pages in his mixed media encaustic work, “Key to the Door of Knowledge.” The great variety of work within this survey of artists highlights the ongoing relationship between visual art and written language.

Image & Word will run from August 25th – October 7th, 2017. The Opening Reception will be held at Kaviar Gallery on August 25th 6-8PM during the F.A.T Friday Trolley Hop!
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- Kayla Bischoff, Gallery Manager