BYU artists offer a bold display

PROVO — Three emerging artists who hail from as many sections of the country will come together in "Two Much for One," a contemporary art exhibit hosted by Terra Nova Gallery that opens Friday, Feb. 3, with an artists' reception.

The talents of Jordann Wood, Colin Nesbit and Melanie McGee, all Brigham Young University graduate art students, are combined in a series of paintings, prints and ceramic sculpture that focus on color, form, and simplicity.

"With student work the instructor is pushing them to explore new forms and new concepts," said gallery owner David Hawkins.

As a result the bold attempts may result in objects patrons find to be fun or leave the audience scratching their heads, he added.

"The oils on canvas . . . are large, bold representations of floral patterns," McGee said, speaking of the work of Arizona native Wood. "Her layers of bold colors create a pleasing harmony that gives evidence to the influence of growing up in the deserts of Arizona," she said.

Wood's work is "very strong, patterned and colorful," Hawkins said.

Nesbit, a printmaker and sculptor from St. Louis, Mo., will feature several of his latest works in print.

"These pieces are elegantly simple in color and context and focus on capturing the sense of presence left in a previously occupied room," McGee said.

Nesbit is experimenting with various printing techniques, Hawkins said.

"(My) series of ceramic works are an abstraction of biological shapes with a focus on form and color. Inspiration comes from minerals and the works of artists Barbara Hepworth and Anish Kipoor," McGee said.

Hepworth was a sculptor who died in 1975. She was part of the modern movement, whose simplistic work was in stone and wood. Kipoor, a contemporary artist, creates simplified forms in bright colors, McGee said.

McGee works with organic shapes. What she is showing at the gallery isn't where she wants to end up, Hawkins said, but it is a demonstration of the process of getting there.

McGee was raised in the central valley of California and now works as an intern at the gallery. The idea for the exhibit came from discussions with Hawkins.

"The idea was to connect his gallery with BYU artists," she said.

If you go

What: "Two Much for One" exhibit

Where: Terra Nova Gallery, 41 W. 300 North, Provo

When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Feb. 3 through Feb. 24 (artists' reception 6-8 p.m., Feb. 3)

How much: free

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E-mail: rodger@desnews.com