Ellen Heck: Prints . January 4-26, 2025
Closing Reception and Artist Talk on Saturday January 25 from 4 to 7pm. Talk at 5pm.
In this exhibition, both figurative and abstract works explore a panorama of perspectives. Life-size monochromatic aquatint portraits of children in the process of having their faces painted hone in on varying expressions of almost religious deliverance at known and unknown hands holding tools of transformation. In this series of varied editions, Being Painted, each child's face is individually painted in different familiar motifs. Of these, the show features masked adventurers, clowns, and starry-eyed dreamers. Heck is interested in the variety of expressions and levels of self-consciousness of children being painted, and conversely, the focus and lack of self-consciousness of children who are painting themselves.
Another on-going series included in the exhibition are Heck's large abstract works from the Color Wheels series. Multiple panels from a single origin accumulate to resemble kaleidoscopic landscapes, each one repeatedly referencing an image that no longer exists in its original form. The resultant composite piece explores self-similarity and collective growth.
In concurrence with Print Austin, the show as a whole uses the repetition and variation of printmaking to tell stories of transformation.
Established in 1980 and located in a 120 year old historic house, the Wally Workman Gallery specializes in emerging and collected talent. Known for encouraging their artists' professional and creative growth, the gallery has advanced local artists onto the national stage for decades. It is the combination of these long-standing relationships and the potential of new partnerships that make the gallery's program dynamic and accessible. The gallery has two stories of exhibition space where one can view the 50+ artists currently represented, including the contemporary talents of Sarah Ferguson, Joyce Howell and Will Klemm as well as the figurative work of Patrick Puckett and America Martin.
Parking is available in the lot behind the gallery, accessed from the alley off Blanco and Harthan Streets. There you will find two dedicated spots as well as other parking options. Unrestricted street parking is available on Blanco St. and parking is allowed after 7pm on Harthan St. Valet parking is available on Blanco St, in front of Elle's.