Adam Rowe: Knot Theories III and Rob Scott: Mental States Across Time
April 7-29, 2023
Adam Rowe: Knot Theories III and Rob Scott: Mental States Across Time
Opening reception: Friday, April 7, 5:00-9:00 PM
Gallery hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Friday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, and Saturday 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Closed Mon Apr 10.
Knot Theories III: The Expansion of Partial-Dimensional Geometries by Adam Rowe is about hidden worlds. This show provides a glimpse into these worlds by answering such questions as: What would overlapping 2-dimensional objects on the same plane look like? Can a single component form wildly different structures? How can a viewer’s perspective reveal a greater range of meaning? Geometric and abstractive works in metal sculpture, painting, woodworking, papercraft and other media illustrate basic principles of topology and tiling.
Making a new artwork begins with a question I don’t immediately know the answer to. It ends with the artwork as the proof that the answer I came up with is true. The middle part, figuring it out, is often more time consuming than shaping the actual piece, although it is the part I enjoy the most.
After studying graphic design and working in this field for several years, my desire to take the principles of design and apply them to media other than paper or the screen has steadily increased. Most of my work is “math art,” although I would never claim to know much math. Adam Rowe’s work has been shown most recently in Knoxville; as a part of the Joint Mathematics Meetings; and in the Bridges math / art conference.
https://adamrowe.com | Instagram @adamrowemusic
Rob Scott’s exhibition is a sampling of pieces created during various phases of his “meditation artwork” journey. The various styles are based on inspirations from travel, nature, and ideas from friends. He has particularly enjoyed the connections with other people these pieces have fostered as he shared them on social media. Some friends use them as Rorschach (ink blot) tests and give them fanciful names.
I loved art as a child, but once I discovered computer programming at 15, I dismissed my artistic interest as nothing more than a hobby. In 2015, my daughter began showing interest in (and aptitude for) art, and I was inspired to revisit my childhood hobby. At first, my drawings were merely for fun and to encourage my daughter – but I quickly realized that this creative outlet was something I desperately needed. I felt a strong need to create something unrelated to my profession; while I still enjoy software development, it is not something that is easily shared with others. I longed to create something that I could share with others.
For most of my life, I have been wrapped up in my logical, analytical left brain, and my mental health has suffered as a result. As I re-explored the possibilities of art, I began to shape my work around the needs of my mind. Instead of starting with a desired goal — something I do every day at work — I did the least amount of planning possible. I started each piece with only the barest idea — perhaps a few circles traced in pencil. I chose media that were easy to pick up and use without excessive prep time and cleanup. I stayed with relatively small sizes so that I could complete each piece without becoming tired or anxious. I gravitated toward an abstract style partly because I enjoyed it, and partly because it reduced any pressure to look like something recognizable.
https://tracklessdeep.com | Instagram @tracklessdeep