When Language Meets Art

I'm currently exhibiting a painting at the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts in Lubbock, Texas, as part of their international juried exhibition, "When Language Meets Art."  It's been a real honor to have been selected for this juried exhibit, juried by Gary Sweeney and curated by Linda Cullum of the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts (LHUCA).  www.lhuca.org

"Close Your Eyes" Acrylic on 3 Canvas Panels by Eddie Bruckner

The "When Language Meets Art" Exhibit at LHUCA is in their Christine DeVitt Exhibition Hall,  LHUCA serves as an exhibition space for local, national, and internationally known artists. This current exhibit demonstrates their commitment to bringing insightful and thought-provoking exhibitions that deepen one's understanding, appreciation, and connection with the visual arts.

Below are some photos of the my painting, "Close Your Eyes" on exhibit in at LHUCA.

One of LHUCA's programs is the First Friday Art Trail.  The First Friday Art Trail is a free, self-guided public art event held predominately in the Lubbock Cultural District.  The First Friday Art Trail is held from 6-9pm, rain or shine, on the first Friday of every month!  This vibrant art scene brings together art-lovers, art collectors, artists, and the greater community.  The art trail can be exploreed on foot or by  one of the free First Friday Trolleys to experience the galleries along the downtown route. More information can be found at http://www.ffat.org/

Christian Conrad wrote about the exhibit that is on view through January 28, 2017.  Christian Conrad earned his PhD in Critical Theory and Artistic Practice from Texas Tech University in 2010 and his MFA from Radford University in 2005. As a working artist, Christian creates in a variety of media, ranging from oil painting to video installation to traditional paper collage. Christian has taught several college-level courses in art at Texas Tech University, and he is currently a featured speaker with the Art History Lecture Series sponsored by the Museum of Texas Tech University Association and the Saturdays at LHUCA art lectures.

When Language Meets Art is an international juried exhibition at LHUCA that explores the connections found between language and language’s unique intersection with contemporary art.  Throughout art history, the many artistic uses of language have changed significantly as the methods and meaning of art has evolved, leading into the contemporary world.  Just as the complexity of art has increased over time, so too has the complexity of language, especially when incorporated into artworks. In the world of modern art, every previous iteration of how language has been used in the past can be considered relevant, adding to the diversity of arts interpretation.

One of the earliest forms of art centering on the use of language is the multicultural practice of calligraphy, used in order to visually elevate and glorify a culture’s written word. This usage of ornamentation extends into the contemporary as the power placed within words themselves can be a direct focus of art. In No Regerts by Matthew Gualco, the artist uses a contemporary version of calligraphy, but in this instance the language itself becomes obscured through the art. In practice, most individuals will read the titled phrase as “no regrets,” so the intentional misspelling then adds to the meaning of Gualco’s art piece.

The power of language can also extend back into the past, forming connections through objects and words directly rooted in history. This occurs in particular when an artist uses objects that signify a narrative linked to nostalgic feelings of the past. In Titanic by Regina Latkany, the incorporation of a piece of history--a document from the actual ship--creates a direct connection with the historical narrative of the Titanic’s tragedy.  A second example of this nostalgic use of language is present in the photograph Hub Beauty Supply by John Van Beekum. Here the recording of an image with language that seems lost in time transports the viewer to a different period of history.

As art has evolved to include a diversity of new media, the usage of language continues to also be an active component of the art. An example of this can be found In the interactive installation It's time to address'er drawersby Joel Armstrong. Here the words chosen by the artist intermingle with recognizable forms that are placed on the wall of the installation space.  In this the use of language becomes a component that can be rearranged in conjunction with the space of the installation.

As cultures progress, the concepts we associate as language incorporate new words and symbols not previously used. These new icons and language often become the focus of contemporary art works. In The Power of The Unspoken Word by Katrina Wright, the use of a symbol in the place of the word “power” can be seen as a function of the modern age. A second example can be found in the multi-media piece CTRL ALT DEL by Karen Gutfreund. In this work the artist uses the common keys found on keyboards that are connected to a computer. The artist also generates a contemporary meaning through the sequence of these keys and what the viewer would associate with them.

​The complexity of the ideas behind the use of art and language dictates a wide diversity of approaches. When Language Meets Art showcases this variety by displaying a large mixture of art media in conjunction with the plurality of uses of language. In each instance, the work shown can be seen as a wonderful example of this intellectually productive intersection. LHUCA’s second juried exhibition showcases how aptly today’s artists are responding to the continued evolution of culture, language, and contemporary art.    -Christian Conrad