The art on the walls of LAL @ Loudoun says a lot. Walk into any of the galleries and something from QX.net Nude 2010 will draw you in.

But have you ever perused the work with the All-knowing Binder of Information from the Front Desk in hand?

Because whoa. That just gives the art even more dimension, even more power, even more significance.

Take for instance this piece by Suzanne Gonsalez, one in a series called REMAINS.

The Clothes They Gave Me When You Died I, by Suzanne Gonsalez

The projection of text onto the figure and the pile of clothes draw you in for a closer look, which reveals the title of the piece to be “The Clothes They Gave Me When You Died.” Then you realize the text is actually a death certificate. Then your realize it’s a death certificate for Ross Zirkle, printmaker and beloved UK Art Professor who won Teacher of the Year in 2006, just a year before his death from lung cancer.

Many people in Lexington knew Ross, either through the arts or through UK, but not one of us was given the clothes he was wearing when he died. Suzanne, Ross’s partner, was.

According to the All-knowing Binder of Information from the Front Desk, Suzanne lost Ross and her mother within 18 months of one another. As a photographer, she was aware of daguerreotypes being used throughout history to preserve the memories of lost loved ones, so she set out to process her losses through her art.

Here’s an excerpt from Suzanne’s artist statement:

Inspired by this history, I set out to document my own recent experiences with bereavement. In recording what remains, I seek to preserve both the memory and the void of those who have passed and find peace through the acceptance of loss…

REMAINS focuses on the absence of what once was and what remains — ‘that’ which is left in the wake of death: words, darkness, anger, guilt, artifacts, letters never to be sent, pain, grief, and more words.

Somehow knowing all of this gives a new dimension to the beauty of this figurative work. It makes it… stunning.

Come see Suzanne’s piece in the flesh tonight during LAL‘s Fifth Third 4th Friday, and try picking up the All-knowing Binder of Information from the Front Desk before you peruse the galleries. There really is so much more to see, even if you’ve already looked at everything.

~ by lexingtonartleague on February 26, 2010.

Posted in Events, Talents
Tags: daguerreotypes, fifth third 4th friday, fifth third bank, figurative art, nude art, photography, qx.net nude 2010, remains, ross zirkle, suzanne gonsalez, univeristy of kentucky art