Paper mosaic artist, oil painter exhibit works tonight

The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri has seen many artists and styles pass through its galleries, but none like the art that visitors will see starting tonight.

This form of art -- called "paper mosaic" -- is unique to one man, Russell Irwin. Tonight 20 of Irwin's pieces will be on display, including two new pieces that have never been seen before.

"This is whole new take on art, so it's very innovative," said arts council director Delilah Tayloe.

Meanwhile another Cape Girardeau gallery will also show art of a style not typical to its facility when the Edward Bernard Gallery displays the oil paintings of Southeast Missouri native and Boulder, Colo., oil painter Caroline Thompson.

While the Edward Bernard Gallery primarily devotes itself to contemporary art glass, gallery owner Peg MacDougall said she also exhibits other types of art in the gallery, like metal and ceramic sculptures.

"Since I opened, the focus was contemporary art glass," said MacDougall. "I wanted to introduce that dimension of art to Cape, but at the same time I have an appreciation of art in general."

Abstract oils

Thompson, who has family in the Cape Girardeau area, contacted the gallery about displaying in the space, said MacDougall. When she saw Thompson's bright, abstract oil paintings, MacDougall said she wanted them in her gallery.

"There's so much imagination to each piece," MacDougall said.

Irwin has had one piece on display at the Garden Gallery on Broadway, but he's never had this type of solo exhibition in a Cape Girardeau gallery. He's a internationally known Missouri artist who has created commissioned pieces for the Israeli military, American military and political leaders and professional sports franchises.

The subjects of Irwin's paintings are varied, as is the style. Some are abstract, conceptual pieces, like the two-panel paper mosaic "The Bride," which uses silver leaf and gold leaf along with Hebrew, Greek and English characters to portray the sacred rite of a Jewish wedding. Others are representational, like the several portrayals of chickens in the collection.

What unites them is the medium -- Irwin's own paper mosaic. Using layers of paper and hardware like 12-inch belt sanders, Irwin creates textured works that on first glance appear to be paintings. Closer inspection reveals layers of colored paper blending together to make one image.

Cardinal fan

Inspired by the Israeli culture and its use of mosaics in combination with his young daughter's method of making paper collages, Irwin said he started using the technique, which may be unique to him, in 1995.

For pieces like "The Bride," Irwin said he likes to create new techniques as he constructs his art. As a result, this particular piece took seven years to complete.

"All of the techniques in that piece are completely invented for that piece," Irwin said from his studio in Augusta, Mo. "I wound up using them in other pieces, the things that I learned trying to create the different types of lettering."

The new piece Irwin will unveil should delight sports fans -- "Red October 2006." The work is a celebration of the St. Louis Cardinals' World Series victory, made by a Cardinal fan who has several pieces portraying key moments in team history. Many of those pieces, and others using sports franchises and players as their subjects, have been used to raise money for charities.

This month he'll teach a workshop sponsored by the arts council here in Cape Girardeau, showing participants how to create in his paper mosaic style. There will be much sanding and sawdust, said Irwin, which makes his workshops that much more fun.

"I have no fear of sharing my inventions, if you would, my techniques, with other people," said Irwin. "My philosophy about art and creating is it's an ongoing process.

"If it ever winds up getting stuck at a fixed point, you should probably stop doing it."

Fearlessness

"I think it's that fearlessness in presentation that makes it fun. When I'm working I'm usually kind of standing in a pile of paper, my palette is at my feet, I'm surrounding by sheets of paper, I reach for the colors I need and tear them up and start going at it."

Irwin's work will be joined by that of local artist Lou Varro, who will display photography and paintings spanning his decades-long career as an artist. An opening reception will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. today. For more information, call the arts council at 334-9233.

A reception for Thompson will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. today. Thompson will also demonstrate her technique at the reception. For more information, call the gallery at 332-7733.