Art of UK's 'Les Femmes' Showcased at Barnhart

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 11, 2014) — The University of Kentucky School of Art and Visual Studies presents the senior B.A. (bachelor of arts) juried group show "Les Femmes." The group show, featuring art by only graduating artists of the female persuasion, is being held through Dec. 12, in Barnhart Gallery, Room 206 of Reynolds Building Number 1. A closing reception will be held to honor the artists 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at the gallery. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public.

"Les Femmes" features work by graduating seniors Sarah Day, Theresa Masterson, Jaime Michelle Robbins and Caitlin Sollee.

Sarah Day is an artist and a photographer. She graduated from Estero High School in Estero, Florida, in 2005 and relocated to her family’s hometown in Utica, Kentucky. After earning her associate of arts degree from Owensboro Community and Technical College in 2010, she moved to Lexington to complete her bachelor's degree in art studio at UK. Day took her first photography class at UK and began exploring digital, traditional and alternative-process photography. She creates her art in series, timelines and narratives that explore relationships, identity and memory.

Theresa Masterson grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, and currently lives in Georgetown, Kentucky. She holds an associates of arts degree in communication from Jefferson Community Technical College, which she earned in 2011. After attending University of Louisville, where she studied hot glass for two years under Professor Che Rhodes, she transferred to UK. She will graduate with a bachelor's degree art studio and a minor in art history. Masterson works with whatever material the artwork needs to complete the creative thought and turn it into a tangible piece of art with concentrations in glass and clay.

"Every piece I make has its own story hidden in the medium waiting to emerge and come to life," Masterson said. "Its emotions push their way to the surface and the form takes on its own tone. You can see its personality emerge vibrantly from within the artwork. Making art is like reading a mystery book. You may not see it in the beginning but it slowly reveals its hidden story."

Jaime Michelle Robbins was born in 1986 in Heidelberg, Germany, to parents Lisa and Frank Robbins. As soon as she learned to glue, she became fascinated with creating. Robbins glued, she drew and she collaged everything she could. As she grew up, her skills branched out into jewelry making and music until she went to college in her 20s to explore and learn as much as she could. It was there that she discovered what the intentions of her creations would be. Robbins' pieces, whether it be photography, fiber or mixed media, has two distinct sides like the artist; one is light, whimsical and beautiful while the other is dark and chaotic discussing the issues that face those who struggle with mental illness.

Caitlin Sollee is a Lexington resident who typically uses a combination of photography and fiber mediums for the majority of her work.  Married, she often artistically collaborates with her musician husband, Kentucky native, Ben Sollee. During her time at UK, Sollee has interned with Lexington local artists in her studies by taking independent studies and volunteering at different studios to expand on her base knowledge of art and working studios. This has allowed her to study with prestigious photographer Guy Mendes and expanded her technique in silver gelatin photography, and with Paul Holbrook, who taught her bookbinding and letterpress at the UK's King Library Press.

Sollee's work often explores the idea of the passage of time represented to the viewer through tedious acts of repetition. Typically hand-embroidery is included in her artwork as a means to further push the idea of time because the process itself requires patience and dedication. Portrait photography is another recurring element of Sollee's artwork and is often printed using non-silver techniques such as cyanotype or gum printing.

For more information on "Les Femmes," contact Professor Arturo Alonzo Sandoval, at arturoalonzosandoval@gmail.com.

The UK School of Art and Visual Studies in the UK College of Fine Arts is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the fields of art studio, art history and visual studies and art education.

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu