Melissa Cooke’s Large-Scale Photorealist Graphite Drawings on View at the Museum of Wisconsin Art
Egos, on view at the Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA) from October 1, 2016 – January 8, 2017.
Melissa Cooke’s Large-Scale Photorealist Graphite Drawings on View at the Museum of Wisconsin Art
(WEST BEND, WI) Melissa Cooke creates massive Photorealist portrait drawings by dusting thin layers of graphite onto paper with a dry brush. This process—which eschews the traditional pencil—results in mesmerizing images that seem to glow without the shine of heavy linear marks. Egos, on view at the Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA) from October 1, 2016 – January 8, 2017, is the latest series from the artist.
“One of the most exciting aspects of an artist’s career is to watch how their work changes over the years,” says Director of Collections and Exhibitions Graeme Reid. “This exhibition represents the culmination of Cooke’s work since she graduated from UW-Madison in 2008. Viewers will be stunned by the large scale of these works as well as their remarkable Photorealist quality, achieved using only powdered graphite and brushes, a technique that is normally reserved for small-scale work.”
Cooke’s work has focused on investigating the relationship between the self, photography, performance, and portrait drawing. Cooke finds drawing to be a cathartic way to explore and understand the various selves—or egos referenced in the title—she has experienced and encountered.
“Melissa Cooke’s works are not only highly charged statements about personal identity, but they also question the very nature of photography and the graphic arts,” says MOWA CEO | Executive Director Laurie Winters.
Egos opens on Saturday, October 1 with an opening party from 1:00 – 4:00. Cooke will lead a tour of her exhibition and offer insights into her creative process.
AT A GLANCE
Melissa Cooke: Egos
October 1, 2016 – January 8, 2017
Opening Party + Meet the Artist
Saturday, October 1 | 1:00 – 4:00
Melissa Cooke: Egos opens concurrently with David Lenz: People on the Periphery. Both Photorealist
About the Museum of Wisconsin Art
The Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA) explores the art and culture of Wisconsin. Founded in 1961, MOWA is one of the top museums of regional art in the United States, with almost 5,000 works of contemporary and historic art by more than 350 artists. Through rotating exhibitions and educational programs, MOWA provides an innovative forum for the culturally engaged.
In 2013, MOWA opened its new 32,000-square-foot facility in downtown West Bend. The building, the first museum commission by acclaimed architect Jim Shields of HGA Architects, is situated along the west bend of the Milwaukee River on a triangular plot of land that inspired the facility’s modern wedge shape. An expansive wall of windows follows the curve of the river bank and minimizes the boundaries between interior and exterior. The museum houses five permanent collection galleries, three temporary exhibition spaces, and two classrooms as well as visible art storage, a shop, and a large atrium for public events. The Museum is located at 205 Veterans Avenue, West Bend. For general information, call 262.334.9638 or wisconsinart.org.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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