College of Fine Arts and Design

September 6, 2011

The University of Central Oklahoma will open the mixed media art exhibit "Authentic Containment" with a reception from 4-6 p.m., Sept. 15 in the Donna Nigh Exhibit Hall located in the UCO Nigh University Center.

The exhibit features works by Central art faculty member Barbara Broadwell, MFA, and two Central students, Brianne Toledo and Beatriz Mayorca, who study and work closely with Broadwell.           

Broadwell's work reflects upon social, philosophical and political activities and is primarily constructed out of clay supplemented with a variety of mixed media.  In her artist statement she asserts, "I believe the combination of varied material, especially found objects, carry a history that is essential to my work.  The weathered metals and wood bear the marks of age, time and events - as do our psyche."              

Broadwell heads up the sculpture division of the UCO Art Department and is a member of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts.           

The exhibit is titled "Authentic Containment" because many of the artworks displayed symbolize things that hold or embody other things.            

For example, some of Toledo's works are constructed out of old dresses that were discarded, which she reconstructs with various materials giving them a new and different life.  The dresses will be suspended in the air creating an embodiment of what is and what was.

The exhibit runs through Oct. 23 and is free and open to the public.  Many of the pieces will be available for purchase.

For further information about "Authentic Containment," contact Zina Gelona, Director of UCO Galleries & Collections at (405) 974-2432.