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02.29.04
Rhonda Gushee at Media Bridges
Laura H. Chapman
Consultant and writer on art education
Rhonda Gushee's art courageously exposes the complexity of her own mind, memory, and ability to
see ordinary things as laden with far more meanings than might be discerned at first glance. Her
technical expertise with media is matched by a deep understanding of the role of explicit and
latent symbolism in particular materials. And there can be no doubt that themes in her work,
though personally significant, also have the power to touch many.
In Gushee's sculpture, for example, the connotative richness of cloth and clothing is fully
exploited. Fabrics literally touch us, providing intimate sensory experience. They are repositories
of memory; bear the imprints of hard use, tender loving care. They allow us to clothe ourselves,
selectively hide and reveal ourselves to others. They also function as a second skin, protecting
us from harm. As media for sculpture, fabrics activate tactile exploration. They invite mind
traveling.
The Invisible, mixed media Sculpture
Rhonda Gushee, 2004 |
Many of Gushee's sculptures have an organic quality. Eccentric curves and tubular projections
often suggest a torso with limbs, but not clearly human or animal. These hybrid forms are
fabrications - creatures of Gushee's imagination, a surreal by-product of her creative strategies
and aesthetic sensibilities. Rhonda finds and combines objects, then hides them from view. The
identities of these substances are transformed by binding them together with layers of wrapped and
stitched fabrics.
Working in the manner of an embalmer - Gushee literally and metaphorically encloses, protects,
and preserves from full view the substance beneath the surface. What we see are irregular strata
of fabrics, some pulled tightly, others gently overlaid, tucked here or folded there. The outermost
surface often resembles a patchwork, with just noticeable differences in textures, nuanced tones
and hues, these punctuated with lively and subtle patterns.
The result is a visually animated surface. Each fabric alone, and in combination with others,
alludes to something more than meets the eye. Some fabrics are see-through sheers, open and lacey,
with intimations of gentility. Some are veil-like coverings that recall rites of mourning. Others
are seductive, with a sinister aura, like black hosiery stretched to the limit with rope-like
twists. Some have words on them, readable sections of text, once coherent but now fragmented and
not fully intelligible.
Dive, mixed media sculpture
Rhonda Gushee, 2004 |
Gushee's haunting forms, layered materials, and strategy of assemblage are, in essence,
metaphors. The forms are analogs for the unexpected contours of our lives. The materials are
surrogates for layers and fragments of memories we conceal or reveal to others. The process of
work has no pre-ordained endpoint; but it is marked by meticulous attention to elusive emotional
states - from the reassuring, poignant, and tender to the unsettling and ominous. Rhonda has said
of her work: "You can never read the whole thing at once." I agree with her completely. Her work
is wonderfully intelligent, evocative, and enigmatic.
--i--
Media Bridges (art gallery)
art@mediabridges
1100 Race Street
Over the Rhine
"White and Black"
works on paper and mixed media sculpture
by Rhonda Gushee
Exhibit dates:
Monday, Dec. 8th through end of February
513-651-4171 for daytime hours/directions
Media Bridges is the new home for Cincinnati artists. Art@Mediabridges is an ongoing art show curated by Steven Vincent Clark at Media Bridges. Works are displayed throughout the building and are on exhibition seven days a week! Media Bridges' students and constituents take in the art daily as they create their own art, while new visitors can wander through our award-winning building and take in the whole experience.
About iRhine
iRhine is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that develops the focus of communication for the many diversified offerings in the historic Cincinnati neighborhood of Over-the-Rhine (OTR). Through the Web site, e-mails, educational meetings, events, and volunteering, iRhine has supported and encouraged socio-economic development for OTR and the Greater Cincinnati Region since 2000.
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Sep 2, 2010
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