The Overture Center's latest exhibit, ""quietLoud"" by FOURum, a group of Madison artists, is a cohesive display of brilliant art with patterned detail.
The group is made up of four talented artists with distinctly different styles. They all bring their own unique inventive styling to the exhibit, and it comes together as a dazzling work of art. Stacey Heim works with mixed media monotypes, contrasting Lon Michels, who creates extensive paintings with intense detail and every color on the palette. Julia Taylor produces various masterpieces utilizing lithographs, etching and silk-screen technique, and Zach Mory shows a plethora of detailed pencil drawings.
At first glance, it is difficult to understand how these decidedly different works of art work together as a single display. Each artist has a distinct style and area of expertise, but upon close examination it is apparent that their use of pattern and detail creates consistency.
Stacey Heim's work differs most significantly from the rest of the group. Heim produces seemingly simple displays with single colors to create an intangible collection of graphic styles. It is easy to see why each of her works is called ""Untitled."" She has created four sets of patterned dots of different colors, and another pair of two large single color paintings that are best to look at as a series.
Zach Mory creates meticulous pencil drawings patterned to perfection. His work includes titles such as ""Studies,"" which features varied drawings spread across the canvas. This is a fascinating piece capturing the abstract concept people may feel when throwing themselves into their work. Mory's best project is titled ""Trash Can,"" which is a synthesis of several drawings and strains of thought.
Julia Taylor designs iconic compositions featuring tiny creatures that appear in each piece. Her work is characteristic of her distinct style. The pieces seem to tell a story and out of all four artists, her work is the most cohesive without being repetitive.
Lon Michels utilizes the most detail among the four artists. He has created large scale paintings with colorful patterns, designing still life, landscapes and family portraits. His work is by no means conventional. Much of his work includes paintings of people whose skins are made up of different patterns. In one painting, a woman's skin takes on a design of peacock feathers. The patterns he creates in the roofs of houses in the paintings also take on interesting form, usually flowers. Michels also includes an intricate garden painting, deemed ""Gloria's Garden."" One of his pieces, ""La Condesa de Casa Bayona,"" shows a girl in a mirror peeking at the people in the painting who are engaging in promiscuous activity. Michels has exceptionally unique ideas and pays close attention to detail.
The four artists also work together to create a collaborative piece. This project features a series of four paintings, and one would assume that each is a self-portrait. The artists employ mediums of acrylic, pencil and marker. Each painting includes a face and graphite writing throughout the canvas. The writing captures the spirit of the display, and the collaborative piece as a whole is a summary of the ""quietLoud"" exhibit. A visit to the gallery is definitely a worthwhile way to spend your time. The experience is free, so head over to the Overture Center and explore the imaginations of these four artists.
