November 1-25, 2022. Driftless Art: Gail Chavenelle | Jenna Lueck | Henry Matthiessen III
Gallery Director Essay
I came to Iowa decades ago with an East Coast head and preconceived notions of cornfields and farmlands. Dale Easley, my UD geology prof friend, tried to fill my huge geological knowledge gap starting with the term, "Driftless Region". Driftless, he said, comprised of NE Iowa, SW Wisconsin and SE Minnesota, covering some 24,000 square miles. It’s called the “Driftless Region” because the last ice age missed this area and therefore it lacked the characteristic glacial deposits known as drift. Instead, we were left with rolling hills, underground water sources, caves, bluffs, and rivers. By the way, if you don’t know him, Professor Easley is not what I would call a typical geology prof. He’s a poet (really, he is).
In his explanation, I remember him saying something to the effect of … and that’s why everyone is “dazzled and awed” by the natural beauty of this area.
That phrase stuck with me. “Dazzled and awed” by the natural beauty. So when we started to organize this November show, that phrase came back to me as Noah and I looked over the work of sculptor Gail Chavenelle, painter Jenna Lueck, and photographer Henry Matthiessen III. The Driftless Region is an oasis of lush topography. We think this show is as well.
The content in these images in the Gallery immediately hits a nerve. Those trees, that rolling plain, this sunset – it’s so familiar. That is, it really is this part of the driftless area. But for me, that’s what pulls me in initially. But the form is equally intriguing with Chavenelle’s whimsical naturalism, Lueck’s saturation of color, and Matthiessen’s magical realism.
Ms. Chavenelle’s sculpture is a unique combination of traditional metal with organic material (river pebbles, wood chips) and hi-tech 3D printed shapes. She calls these 3D forms her “mistakes”, and she readily admits that she loves them. This is very surprising to me.
I know Ms. Chavenelle through her work and would not have wagered such acceptance of hi-tech forms and materials so readily. Art (and artists) have a way of surprising you.
Ms. Lueck’s paintings are really about color. She says she loves the landscapes in this area and around her home, but I think she’s in love with color. Clearly, the more saturated a hue is, the better her imagery is. I would bet she doesn’t have a white wall in her house.
Mr. Matthiessen’s photographs are simply sublime. We observe them as if we are witnessing a special, rare moment in nature. Some might say they are quasi-religious. He recognizes and supports photography’s traditional role – to point out specific things or events we might easily miss if not for the photograph. But he goes beyond. It’s not mere documentation, and we can’t anticipate ever seeing nature the way he captures (and manipulates) it.
We hope you, too, are dazzled and awed by the works in this Driftless Art show. Thank you for visiting the Gallery and enjoy the colors and chill of Fall in the driftless area.
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The brochure that accompanies this exhibit was funded by a gallery grant generously given by Judith and Bill Crandall, alumni of UD. We are especially grateful for the cooperation by these three artists in all aspects of this show. They have helped us in every step of the way. Also, it should be noted that this exhibit was designed and hung by Olivia Schoenrock, Docent, and Noah Bullock, Coordinator, of the Bisignano Art Gallery.
Alan Garfield
Director
Driftless Art Exhibit Poster
Artist's Statement
As a resident of the Driftless region and lover of the Mississippi River, I have used my metal voice working in sheet steel to capture their flora, fauna and activity. You will see varied techniques metalcut, positive negative, model for a public sculpture and a one-piece creation.
Transitions is a second and whole new series created especially for this show. The ancient Effigy mound designs of bird and bear have been transitioned to modern 3D printed accessories.
Also, I have continued my line of accessories from my own original Driftless themed metal sculpture using photography, iPhone apps, and 3D printing. Spot the same form transitioned with high tech! Finally, Gems of the Mississippi combines 3D printing with river smoothed pebbles retrieved while kayaking the Mississippi shores and her backwaters. While others may choose diamonds, my ears are adorned with driftless designs and river gems.
