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Exhibits add creativity to end of semester
 Media Credit: Jessica Tonsfeldt/Staff Photographer Jean Matzke’s woven and hand-embroidered art is displayed in the Atwood Gallery. Matzke is an SCSU graduate.
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Students of SCSU have yet another chance to see the diversity of art — especially of fiber art — when Jean Matzke, an SCSU graduate and a local artist, filled the Atwood Gallery with her 22 different pieces of image in embroidery and tapestry.
The simple techniques of hand embroidery, applique, machine-over-stitching and linen warp and weft were used by Matzke to create her artworks. Visual Arts Committee of the University Program Board organized the exhibit.
Matzke pieces were the works of the last four years. The artist owns Gallery 702, which has a working studio of her own.
“The exhibit would educate the students that fiber can be more functional. With this exhibit, Jean takes us into another dimension of art,” said Janice Courtney Fitch, assistant director and arts adviser of University Program Board.
Matzke’s artwork shows bring the beauty and complexity yet, is still simple at times. The works include quite a few nude women portrayals of which one had the title “Conversations with Myself.” She depicts feminism in her works.
The artist’s statement reads: “Color, thread, and image all are a part of the narrative in embroidery.”
“The Visual Board tries to bring out works that are visually pleasing but also educational and controversial,” Courtney Fitch said.
One machine-stitched work on three different pieces of denim pictured a red car traveling across the tapestry. The car, on the last piece, had a license plate that read “Life.” Matzke added a heading, which said “I took a wrong turn in life.”
Mike Ziegler, coordinator for the Visual Arts Committee, said “I was surprised how neat it was. When you think of knitting, embroidering and stitching, we just think of our grandmothers doing it.”
Through Matzke works, fiber art brings yet another diversity of art forms or mediums to show messages of the beauty of life.
Along with the tapestries, the Visual Arts committee also organized the display of American Indian objects. The ballroom display cases were adorned with different contemporary pieces of American Indian art. The pieces of cultural objects were brought from the American Indian Center at SCSU.
Pottery from Leech Lake Indian Reservation and Pueblo city of Acoma, N.M. are also among the articles displayed. Other artifacts, from Acoma to Minnesota pipestone and beaded moccasins are displayed as well.
Beading looms used by SCSU students are displayed.
A portrait of a Navajo medicine man, a color painting by Nofferta Deryl, has the title of “Strong Women Strong Nation” and shows the medicine man with four different native woman standing proud and tall.
The display also has sweet grass and sage used in ceremonies. The hawk feathers, for which different body parts are sacred to the American Indians during prayers, are also displayed.
The display besides the visuals, makes students aware of the sensitivity of the sacred American Indian cultural aspects.
“We would consider any students of St. Cloud if they have interest in bringing artist and artworks here,” said Courtney Fitch.
Students will undoubtedly be busy with tests and papers these last weeks of school, and the exhibits are a good way to take a break and relax. Both the exhibits will remain intact until the middle of January.
Tsewang Sangmo Lama can be reached at: [email protected]
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