Romy Owens, the reconstructionist effort : North Gallery, March 15-May 16, 2010.

              Romy Owens North Gallery March 15 - May 16, 2010
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Romy Owens
Katie Couric by Romy Owens
Selina Kyle by Romy Owens
Romy Owens
The Reconstructionist Effort
North Gallery - March 15 - May 16, 2010
April 4, 2011
Since 2007 much of Romy Owens' photography has been
focused on the often overlooked elements of urban decay-the
"bumps and bruises" on exterior walls that city
structures acquire over time. She is attracted to images
such as the faded paint, cracked texture, and repeated
patterns found throughout an aging city. It is in these
weathered details that Owens finds her stories. She
photographs with reverence, capturing the scars of the
city with the same respect one would use to observe the
creases in the face of a grandparent. The scars are
symbols of history that draw Owens in for a closer look.
Capturing the photo is only the first step in the process
for the artwork that makes up this exhibit, titled The
Reconstructionist Effort.
From the collected photographs Owens creates a large
arrangement, piecing the images together, balancing color
and texture while creating patterns and grids, much like a
quilter would do with various patterns of fabric. By use of
meticulous scoring and hand needlework, the photographs
unite, each with its own tiny detail of urban history. The
patterns of threadwork bring attention to the marriage of
each component with stark, bold lines. The final product: a
geometric display of both chaos and order.
The compositions echo the influential styles of Abstract
Expressionism and postmodern photography. While Owens
claims the photo collages of David Hockney and Doug and
Mike Starn as influences, the method of hand-sewing
photographs together was an idea born in her mind. The
thread creates a permanent bond between the
photographs, and Owens enjoys the meditative and
peaceful process of sewing.
Owens grew up in Enid, has lived in the Netherlands
and New York City, among other places, and finally
settled in Oklahoma City in 1996. She made the
decision to become an artist late in life and earned her
Master of Arts in Photography from Oklahoma City
University in 2005. She has made a name for herself as
an artist and curator. Projects like 60 Artists: 60
Minutes, in which she gave 60 Oklahoma artists one
hour to photograph downtown Oklahoma City as they
see it, and The Mission, an exhibit benefiting youth and
family services, have earned Owens the title of "40
under 40" by Oklahoma Magazine and "Forty under 40"
by OKCBiz.
Owens began exhibiting her artwork in
2006. Past exhibits include L*O*V*E*: A
Four Letter Word at the Invited Artists
Capitol Exhibitions
The Capitol is home to four art
galleries, exhibiting works of
current and past Oklahoma
artists.
East Gallery
North Gallery
Governor's Gallery
Betty Price Gallery
About the North Gallery
Located on the first floor of the
Capitol, the North Gallery
features photography and works
on paper by current Oklahoma
artists. Exhibits rotate
approximately every 60 days.
Hours:
Weekdays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Weekends 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (use
west entrance)
The North Gallery is curated by
the Oklahoma Arts Council. For
more information contact Alyson
Moses at 405.521.2931 or
alyson.moses@arts.ok.gov.
Past North Gallery
Exhibitions
Selection of Artists for
Exhibition
Upcoming North Gallery
Exhibits
Sarah Harless (Sayre)
December 3, 2012 -
February 3, 2013
Grant McClintock (Tulsa)
February 11 - April 7, 2013
Sam Joyner (Tulsa)
April 15 - June 16, 2013
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