“Consumption”: The critics speak!

Well the reviews are mixed regarding S.V. Medaris’ Master of Arts exhibit, Consumption. Here’s a reaction to one of the large-scale pieces (*hint* click image to enlarge):

The Magnificent Seven

Boy critics voice opinion through interpretive stance, in front of "The Magnificent Seven", a 14ft x 9ft mixed media piece (acrylic and printmaking on canvas and feedsacks) by S.V. Medaris

(click on any photo to see larger version)

"The Magnificent Seven" by S.V. Medaris • 14ft x 9ft • Mixed media (acrylic and printmaking on canvas and feedsacks)

And some more photos from the closing reception:

"The dark M&M's are terrific!"

Young girl poses for camera, ignoring the hogs closing in behind her.

I ♥  Chicken

Looking through the window, into the interior light of "I ♥ Chicken."

Here it is, closed:

"I ♥ Chicken" by S.V. Medaris • 12in x 8in x 4in • found objects, light, recycled prints, acrylic on specimen box.

…and open:

Interior of "I ♥ Chicken"

The Meat Locker

Approaching the Meat Locker (a tunnel book):

Closed:

"The Meat Locker" by S.V. Medaris • 10in x 10in x 12in (deep) • tunnel book with hand-colored lithographs and inkjets on watercolor paper

Open:

Fight or Flight

Another opinion via interpretive stance by the boys for "Fight or Flight," 8ft x 8ft, acrylic and monotype and relief printmaking on watercolor paper, feedsack, and canvas.

"Fight or Flight" by S.V. Medaris • 8ft x 8ft • Mixed media (acrylic paint, monotype and relief printing on feed sacks, paper, canvas)

A Wisconsin Tradition

Yes, the dark m&m's were a hit.

"A Wisconsin Tradition" by S.V. Medaris • 8ft x 6ft • acrylic paint, relief printing and lithography on watercolor paper

Close up of "A Wisconsin Tradition." Kitten is hand-colored lithograph. This image is from a moment during a deer-processing on a nearby farm.

Closing Reception (main exhibit):

At the Art Lofts. "Consumption" closing reception, May 20, 2010

If you missed the show and want to see most of the work in person (including most of the large-scale works), come to the Spring Art Tour this weekend (June 11, 12, 13). Maps to the studios and more info at Mount Horeb Spring Art Tour.

and Studio 1134 (the second gallery):

Inside Studio 1134 (Gallery 2)

The "Corn King," a woodcut character made for the "Consumption" show (on child's XS t-shirt) by S.V. Medaris

Corn King apparel available at the Spring Art Tour this weekend.

Inside Studio 1134

Prints and t-shirts, including diptych of "The Stalking of the Great White Pyrenees"

More grad school work: prints, broadsides and mixed media

Market Weight Press it is…

A Beautiful Machine

This is a 1910 Potter Proof Press waiting to be cleaned up, have a chase added, and have some proofs printed on it. It’s made of cast iron and very heavy (it was unloaded with a tractor once home on the farm). The weight of things interests me, as we raise hogs for market every year, and the market weight of those hogs is something you have to be aware of. You try to guess when their weight is going to be at the right stage by the time you take them in to be processed, and you typically call months ahead with the butcher date.

Inspiration for the print shop name looms on the wall of the printing room here: A Few Months Past Market Weight, 7ft tall, acrylic on canvas. The story behind the painting is that one year we lost our spot at the butcher (they screwed up and didn’t write our hogs down on the date we requested back in early summer). When they finally were able to get our hogs in, they each averaged over 400lbs. Biiiiiiiig guys. Pork chops the size of dinner plates and all that….