April 2 – May 30, 2009

Reception: April 25, 2009, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Though artist Veora Erwin didn’t start working as an artist until age 44, her love of art can be traced back to her childhood. Once her own children were grown, Erwin decided to explore her creativity by pursuing her love of fine arts. With her passion for art and the desire to learn the necessary skills, Erwin decided to enroll in local art classes. Beginning with drawing classes at RAM (then located at the Art Center), Erwin studied painting, printmaking, and weaving. With the unfortunate discovery in the 1960s that she was allergic to paint, Erwin was determined to seek out alternative mediums. In doing so, Erwin concentrated her efforts on creating intricate collage work which became her niche. These works reference early modernist collage artist Kurt Schwitters as well as geometrical patchwork quilting, artist books, old scrapbooks, and Minimalism.

Erwin’s unique collages are composed of a variety of materials such as found objects, keepsakes, as well as purchased items. Like old patch work quilts, many of the materials found in Erwin’s collages have stories behind them. Most of the fabrics used in her pieces belonged to her mother or came her own clothing. With the intent of free interpretation, Erwin allows these works to stand as they are, with no explanation or explicit message beyond the contrasting texture and colors.