The slogan reduce, reuse, recycle is not only applicable to grocery bags and thrift stores but also to the world of art.
Tyler Junior College Art Professors Derrick White and Chris Stewart both had pieces on exhibition at the Downtown Tyler Arts Coalition Gallery that were made from things that were originally something else. The pieces were in “the Art of the Found Object” exhibition and were displayed from Jan 5 to Feb 7.
“Inspiration for these found object pieces was to create an intriguing object made entirely of things I found and didn’t manipulate in the traditional artistic sense,” Stewart said.
In order for an artist to have their art shown at the museum, they must submit a digital image of their work to be evaluated by a jury of professional artists. The jury then scores all of the pieces that are submitted and those that score well enough are put on display.
White believes this is a wonderful experience for an artist.
“I love to exhibit and share my work with an audience,” White said. ” I think it is an important aspect of being an artist to send your work out into the world for exposure and reaction.”
Stewart had three pieces being shown entitled “Spoon,” “Fork,” and “Coin,” and created them with the intent of showing viewers another aspect of art.
“I hope that the pieces made the viewer pause and consider what a work of art could be,” Stewart said. “Materials were all found bits of discarded objects, old magazine clippings and piece of pre-used pieces of wood.”
White has two works entitled “The Birds at Noon” and “Target.”
“All the parts were obtained at this store – an old antique desk top, wooden circle form and two wooden bird silhouette cut-outs,” White said. “All of the components are wood. My second piece Target is created out of an altered discarded pallet with an attached piece of plywood that I painted a circle on.”
White also hopes his art widens viewers perspectives on what art can be.
“I hope people gain a new perspective on these objects and are able to see something once discarded as something new, interesting and meaningful,” White said.
Beverly Abell is a director at the Downtown Tyler Arts Coalition and believes that art enhances the area.
“We use art as a great tool for downtown revitalization both on the economic and cultural side,” Abell said. ” It’s very key to quality life here and economic revitalization downtown.”
The Downtown Tyler Arts Coalition Gallery is open free to the public and is open Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m.-5p.m, Thursday through Friday 10 a.m.-6p.m., and Saturday noon to 4p.m.
