Ohio Wesleyan University | News & Media

Work of Graphic Designers on Display at OWU's Ross Art Museum

March 24, 2005

DELAWARE, OHIO -- "Dialogue Between Art and Design," an art exhibition displaying a variety of works blending graphic design and the fine arts, is on display at Ohio Wesleyan University's Ross Art Museum from now through April 10.

The exhibition is curated by David J. Knight, OWU Class of 1988, who returns to the university as this year's Distinguished Fine Arts Alumnus. He is currently Director of Exhibitions and Collections at Northern Kentucky University.

"Dialogue Between Art and Design" features art from alumni of Northern Kentucky's graphic design program. Their work ranges from serious to light-hearted, and all of it is thought provoking. The show includes:

Selected artwork from Marvel's "Daredevil" and "Kabuki" graphic novels by David Mack
"The Casualties of War," a digital print by Daniel Jasper, in which 740 faces of service men and women killed in action in Operation Iraqi Freedom form President George W. Bush's smiling face
"Wal*Art," a mixed media piece by Joe Napier and Ken Frederick that focuses on the Wal*Mart greeter
"First Class, Second Class," ink on paper pieces by Hans Schellhas, which invite the viewer to think about police brutality issues in Cincinnati that have been brought to light in recent years by the deaths of three African-Americans, including Timothy Thomas
Many other works by Michael O. Hammonds, Bethany Casey, Julie Mader-Meersman, William Rabe IV, April Edwards, Rob Warner, William Dickson, Brian Arnberg and Michael Phillips

"This exhibition shows the way graphic designers can use their skills of design and marketing to catch people's attention," Knight commented. "The general public would typically be familiar with the work of graphic designers by the designs they have created for corporations and companies. But with this exhibition, many of the artists/designers have caught our attention by using their design skills in their artwork by making political or social statements, creating a graphic novel, or other artistic interpretations."

Justin Kronewetter, Director of the Ross Museum and Professor of Fine Arts at OWU, agreed with Knight and added that the exhibition is helpful to current art students, particularly those studying graphic design. "Rarely do we have an exhibition of graphic designers at Ross," Kronewetter said. "And in this case, most of the works are not done on assignment, but rather for the personal satisfaction of the artists as creative individuals."

David Knight will give a guest lecture on March 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Room 312 of the Corns Building. A reception will immediately follow in the Ross Museum. Knight will discuss the works in the exhibition at the Ross Museum, as well as his own professional experience in the world of museums and galleries. "Every year we bring in one of our alumni who have been working as an art professional for at least 15 years to serve as a role model for the current students in the OWU Fine Arts program," Kronewetter said.

"I am extremely happy and honored to be the Distinguished Fine Arts Alumnus this year," Knight commented. "When I was a young student at OWU, I hoped someday to be successful enough in the arts to be named the Distinguished Fine Arts Alumnus."

"Dialogue Between Art and Design," and Knight's lecture as well as the reception are all free and open to the public.

The Ross Art Museum is located at 60 S. Sandusky St., Delaware, Ohio. Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. The museum is closed on Monday and Saturday. For additional information, please contact the museum at 740-368-3606 or at ramuseum@owu.edu