Released: October 6, 2008
Lincoln, Neb. — The Eisentrager-Howard Gallery opens its exhibition season with an exhibition in October.
"The Eskridge Collection of Outsider, Folk Art and Contemporary Self-Taught Art" and "Inside. . . Out," an exhibition of the assemblages of Janet Hannah Eskridge, opens Oct. 6, 2008, and continue through Oct. 30 at the gallery, which is located on the first floor of Richards Hall. There will be an opening reception on Monday, Oct. 6, from 5-7 p.m. in the gallery.
"The Eskridge Collection" presents three clear elements in the Eskridge Collection: outsider artists, current self-taught artists and folk art. The term "outsider art" is broadly used and includes visionary artists, self-taught artists, and others who were in someway "outside" the mainstream, in terms of their artistic training and life experience.
Among the outsider and visionary artists of note include William Edmondson, William Traylor, James Castle, Sister Gertrude Morgan, Raymond Coins, Howard Finster, Jesse Howard, Thornton Dial, Mose Tolliver, Jimmy Lee Suddeth, Edgar Tolson, Burlon Craig, Joseph Garlock, Aldo Piacenza, Felipe Jesus Consalvos and the Philadelphia Wireman.
The Collection also includes a variety or utilitarian, religious, and whimsical examples of American folk art, mostly from the 19th century. The third component of the collection features a number and variety of current self-taught artists whose works are contemporary expressions in sync with the artistic efforts of earlier creations.
"Inside. . . Out" features the assemblages of Janet Hannah Eskridge. Eskridge received her B.A. in early childhood education from St. Andrews College in Laurinburg, N.C. She received her Master of Professional Studies in art therapy and creative development from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Eskridge says, "The art I make is an invitation to look within. I generally work in contained spaces-little worlds that can be entered and explored by the viewer."
Her work is in mixed media, using found objects and images. She usually works in antique boxes, combining old paper, tattered books and small objects. Every object in a box has a purpose and meaning.
Gallery hours for this exhibition will be Monday-Thursday, noon to 4 p.m. For more information, call (402) 472-5522 or visit www.unl.edu/art.