Taylor Storlien-
The Nobel Conference 59 “Insects: Little Body, Big Impact” took place this past week on Tuesday, October 3, and Wednesday, October 4. The current Schaefer art exhibit is connected to Nobel 59 this year, with insects being the inspiration. Minneapolis painter and collage artist, Eleanor McGough, is the artist for the exhibit, Diminutive Messengers. It will be on display in the Schaefer Art Gallery from September 22 through October 20, 2023. Hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and weekend hours are 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Her exhibit displays three wall installations that consist of hand-cut paper insect silhouettes which are organized into a grid pattern, resembling scientific bug collections that are pinned down in frames. It also displays two acrylic collage paintings and a three-dimensional sculpture piece that sits on a pedestal.
Continuing Assistant Professor and Studio and Visual Arts Programs Manager in Art and Art History Nicolas Darcourt was the coordinator for this exhibit. One of the reasons McGough was chosen to be the showcased artist was a recommendation from Professor Priscilla Briggs, “One of the current committee members for the Nobel Conference is part of a large artist network in the Twin Cities. Professor of Photo and Video Pricilla Briggs had already worked with Eleanor McGough in the past and made the recommendation. It is a great example of how important it is to be connected in a professional network. Not only to receive opportunities but to facilitate them for others as well,” Darcourt said.
McGough’s current art focuses on insects and their intricate role within our environment. “Eleanor mentions her ‘sense of wonder for the astonishing variety and intricacy of these creatures’, in her artist statement. And with over 225 insect shapes to view on the walls, she delivers,” Darcourt said.
McGough’s statement on her website goes into detail about her interest and fascination with insects and why it is important to pay attention to them. “The idea that insects are bio-indicators of ecosystem health fascinates me. My work seeks to articulate the critical role these diminutive and ephemeral messengers play in the structure of life, and how their mind-boggling variety captivates human imagination. Elaborating on the astonishing variety of insect forms with invented variations, I use impermanent materials to convey the fragile, and temporary nature of these subjects,” McGough said. To read more of her words and to see pieces that are not currently on display in the Schaefer gallery, visit eleanormcgough.com.
What sets this exhibit apart from past exhibits is the subject matter. Darcourt found he had to think creatively regarding the theme: “I can’t say that I can look into the future and know exactly what type of exhibitions I will be planning, But to find out that this year’s Nobel theme would be insects, I had to open my mind to what I would see in the gallery,” Darcourt said.
To Darcourt, this exhibit is about taking the time to recognize intricate details. “To me, this exhibition is about slowing down and spending time examining recognizable shapes and examining hand-made details. At first glimpse, one immediately picks up on the straightforward nature of the hand-cut paper silhouettes and layers of acrylic paint. But with some time, a multitude of details begins to emerge. Not just the subtle differences between shapes, but the subtle details within the shapes.”
The public reception was from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4 where McGough gave her artist talk as part of the programming for Nobel Conference 59. McGough explained that she creates art “both to sell and that operates as an experience for the audience.” She finds inspiration for her work because she loves “imagining the sensory experience of bugs,” which is something she said during her artist talk at the reception. Each piece of art, especially the installations, featured hand-cut insects. “Papercutting is a way of drawing, I think of these scissors as my drawing tool,” McGough said.
The exhibit was buzzing with people during the public reception. “I keep seeing something different each time, and the symmetry is incredible,” Professor of Physics at Hamline University, Jerry Artz said. “That takes a lot more patience than I’ve got,” Artz continued. Each insect cut is unique, as McGough invents and improvises on forms of insects she has observed. “I am not a bug expert but a bug admirer,” McGough said in her talk.