You are invited to CAROL BROOKES - “PULSE,” A SOLO EXHIBITION AKUS GALLERY, Eastern Connecticut State University August 29 - October 10 Discussion


You are invited to

CAROL BROOKES - “PULSE,” A SOLO EXHIBITION

AKUS GALLERY, Eastern Connecticut State University

August 29 - October 10

Discussion with the Artist - September 5 from 3 to 4 PM

Opening Reception - September 5 from 4 to 7 PM

e04 - Pierce

"Pierce" Sculpting epoxy, bolt shanks, nuts, found hardware, spray paint, acrylic, wood and canvas.

 
e08a - Urchin

"Urchin" Sculpting epoxy, cut masonry nails, washers, spray paint, acrylic, wood and canvas.

Nails, washers, rope, tubing, wire, rubber mats, dowels, leather buckles, industrial honeycomb insulation, and tacks are some of the materials that Chicago artist Carol Brookes incorporates into her work. “PULSE,” an ongoing series of mixed-media wall sculptures will be featured in her solo exhibition at Akus Gallery, Eastern Connecticut State University on August 29, 2013.

Carol Brookes, a Chicago artist, creates frame-like boxes constructed of wood and canvas and filled with mixed media materials. “The ‘PULSE' series is material-driven and is constantly evolving. I consider the entire world my art supply store,” says Brookes, “ I see the world as layers of structure and surface, one upon the other – a concept that drives my work."

1- Pearl Iridescence - 2

"Pearl Iridescence" Sculpting epoxy, pearls, tacks, nails, washers, acrylic, wood & canvas.

The “Pulse” series was inspired by a recent trip to Hawaii with her archeologist husband, of which she recalls, “I was awed by the raw, untamable power emanating from the earth. It was both powerful and serene, a spiritual energy, The spherical cinder mounds and volcanic forms gave a sense that the earth was pulsing and pushing to form new life.”

"PULSE" examines the hemisphere as a structure, the ordinary forms we see each day in their many incarnations, such as an egg, a pod, an eye, the earth, planets, and domes. The various concepts that these forms evoke are explored in the series, including thoughts and insights into life, birth, and the mystical and mysterious.

Although Brookes' pieces, with their protruding central hemispheres framed by square boxes of identical dimensions and arranged in rows or grids, show the influence of Minimalism, they are actually “maximalist” in a manner more likely to remind one of Joseph Cornell or Louise Nevelson (whom she acknowledges as an important inspiration).

“My work is spontaneous and controlled, playful and serious, my own personal yin and yang. Creating these constructed worlds is a mystical event for me. Although the ideas flow from one piece to the other, there are always surprises. Art is the magic of my life, and like magic the excitement comes from not knowing what wonderful new ideas, objects or materials will appear and exactly what will happen next.”

Carol Brookes, whose work has been widely exhibited in numerous group and solo shows, is an artist possessed of a unique aesthetic vision and an almost alchemical ability to transform commonplace materials and familiar objects into beautifully crafted and highly imaginative formal statements.

2 - Surface Pulse - Installatione

Installation View

 
2 - Surface Pulse

"Surface Pulse" Set of twelve 22" squares - 74" x 100" x 10" installed. Mixed Media

The exhibition will include:

Surface Pulse, an installation made up of twelve 22" squares. It is a new work created specifically for the Akus Gallery exhibition. These works are all about texture and unique materials. All the works in this group are shades of white and off white, with hemispheres placed in boxes of different depths. Brookes says about this group, "I consider this work my "free for all", my opportunity to experiment with all the ideas that have been floating around in my mind for the past two years."

Pulse Vector, (below) a set of three 22" squares alters the hemisphere by cutting sections out of them. This creates new spacial movements. Each work was inspired by and incorporates different hardware and construction materials and creates a machine-made feel.

Volute

"Voluted" - Acorn bolts

 
Coiled

"Coil" - Electrical Conduit

 
Spoked

"Spokes" - Dowels

Hive Genesis, made of hemispheres wrapped with cotton rope. Rubber mats and industrial honeycomb insulation material creates a background that is dotted with bolts. The piece creates an illusion that the hive is dissolving into honeycomb but with the promise of re-emergence.

Pulse Hydra, consisting of four 30" square boxes 10" deep. Made of sculpting epoxy and embellished with nails, tacks and washers, each box is filled with organic forms representing imagined worlds of sea creatures, sea flowers, and tide pools.

Pearl Synergy, inspired by shells and their pearl-like surfaces, contrasting shiny and metallic surfaces against matte, porcelain-like surfaces. The piece explores the notion that in life, something that seems simple or plain on the outside can contain beautiful and wondrous treasures.

3 - Pulse Hydra - Flutter

"Flutter" Sculpting epoxy, hardware, acrylic, wood and canvas.

Carol Brookes’ artwork has been featured in solo and group exhibitions in galleries and cultural centers throughout the United States, including the McLarry Modern Gallery in Santa Fe, Illinois Central College in East Peoria, the Maryland Federation of Art in Annapolis, B. J. Spoke Gallery in Huntington, New York, the University of North Iowa in Cedar Falls, the Women’s Center in Los Angeles, and the Miami Metropolitan Museum and Art Center. In addition, her work is in public and corporate collections, including those of the American Cinema Corporation in Boston, Grayco Paper Company in Miami, the Miami Dade Community College, and the Waterloo Art Center in Iowa. Brookes received a B.F.A. in painting and drawing from the University of Miami, an MA in painting from the University of Northern Iowa, and an MFA in multimedia art from the University of Iowa.

“PULSE” opens August 29 and runs through October 10, 2013. There will be a discussion with the artist on Thursday, September 5 from 3 to 4 PM followed by an opening reception from 4 to 7 PM. The Akus Gallery is located at 83 Windham Street in the lower level of Shafer Hall at the corner of Windham and Valley Streets in Willimantic, Connecticut. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 1-7 p.m. on Thursday and 2-5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

For more information contact:
Carol Brookes, Carol Brookes Art, Inc., 312-560-3064
or carolsbrookes@yahoo.com or www.carolbrookes.com

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