Geo-Static / Structure / Pop!
A show of skyscrapers, celebrations, and geometric otherworlds by Matt Conklin, Michael Reinsch, and Matthew Brewster at Living Studios Gallery May 16- June 14, with a performance by Michael Reinsch during the Corvallis Arts Walk at 6pm on May 16.
This month, Living Studios Gallery welcomes artist Michael Reinsch alongside our own affiliated artists Matt Conklin and Matthew Brewster in a show of skyscrapers, celebrations, and geometric otherworlds. The show’s title borrows the term Geo-Static from the earth sciences, which refers to the pressure exerted by the weight of a structure. Through paintings and sculpture, each artist in Geo-Static / Structure / Pop! energetically maps intuitive geometries and imperfect structures and plots and patterns human experience in a time tense with opposing and multi-layered perspectives.
Michael Reinsch is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Gold Hill, Oregon who explores the human condition through themes of humor, celebration and melancholy. His paintings are often based on small collages of patterns and colors he makes with craft and gift papers from hobby supply stores. Michael’s long term durational performance/Gallery Albatross opened in Portland in 2015, located as a lanyard that hangs around his neck as he goes about his day. To date there have been 37 Albatross exhibitions, including an Albatross ARTFAIR during the pandemic lockdown that featured artists from around the US. Reinsch earned a BFA in Painting and Drawing and an MFA in Visual Studies from PNCA. He has held teaching positions at PNCA and Portland State University, has been the recipient of arts grants, and has performed at PICA’s TBA festival.
Matt Conklin builds colorful skyscrapers that each contain worlds of information and iconography. Using found materials for his creations and images, Matt transforms household objects, plastic bottles, toys, and cardboard into buildings, bridges, and other structures. Conklin’s work is held in the permanent collection at the Hallie Ford Museum.
Matthew Brewster is a self-taught artist who works primarily in painting. He limits his color palette to 3-4 colors at a time to create abstract landscapes that provide aerial views of other-worlds. Trees, lightning, and ocean waves appear as systems and symbols for those who follow the lines and shapes Matthew has patterned in his paintings. Matthew has exhibited work with Living Studios at Western Oregon University, The Arts Center (TAC) in Corvallis, OSU, and most recently as a guest artist at the Salem on the Edge Gallery.
Geo-Static / Structure / Pop! will be on view from May 16 - June 14, with an opening on Thursday, May 16 from 4-8 during the Corvallis Arts Walk. At 6pm, there will be an improvised musical performance in the gallery by Michael Reinsch.