The University of Olivet presents the art exhibition “One Upon the Other” by April Felipe. The exhibit is open for viewing from Friday, Jan. 12 through Friday, Feb. 16, with an artist’s reception on Feb. 16 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The exhibit is housed in the Kresge Foundation Art Gallery, located in the Riethmiller Blackman Art Building at The University of Olivet, 320 S. Main St. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.
“One Upon the Other” features ceramics work with color driven by historical floor patterns from the Caribbean. These faux tile mosaics are a product of colonialism, used as a way to showcase European lineage while distancing from African and native lineage. However, the history of these tile patterns are actually derived from Moroccan tiles. Felipe is drawn to the idea that, while constructing the colonial ideal, these tiles are actually representative of African histories. In conjunction with these patterns, she looks to the tale of “The Ugly Duckling,” a narrative that perpetuates the value of visually belonging, a path to finding ones true place. Through layering of materials and patterns, historical, found, and invented, Felipe’s work explores this narrative and the constructed nature of the past to reveal our desire for belonging.
Felipe spent her childhood in Queens, New York and was exposed to constant action and energy, making it an amazing place for her to grow up. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University and a Master of Fine Arts in ceramics from Ohio University. Felipe was named the Ceramics Monthly Emerging Artist in May 2017 and currently serves the Dairy Barn Arts Center in Athens, Ohio. In her role, she leads art outreach programs for underserved children in southeastern Ohio.
For more information about the exhibit, contact Gary Wertheimer, professor of art, at 269.749.7627 or gbwertheimer@uolivet.edu.