Visiting Artist Pamela Marks at the Multicultural Center
“Camouflage patterns found in the everyday images of war and the objects of popular culture have seeped into my consciousness and influenced this series of Dazzle Paintings. I found a strong visual relationship between camouflage and the emerging patterns of organic form in my previous paintings. Camouflage, an abstraction of nature and a powerful symbol, has a rich history that has involved artists since its inception…”
Photo provided by Pamela Marks
The new art exhibit in the Multicultural Center is now on display. Visiting Artist Pamela Marks is showing her work in The Camouflage Series. Marks is an Associate Professor of Art at Connecticut College. She earned her M.F.A. at the University of Arizona and her B.F.A. at the University of Illinois. Her paintings have been shown in France, Scotland, the Netherlands, Japan, and Greece as well as numerous venues across the United States. Here at Bloomsburg University, she shares with us 19 small to medium-sized watercolor paintings that she has grouped together as The Camouflage Series.
In her own words, here is Marks’ statement on The Camouflage Series:
“‘A painting needs as much fraudulence, trickery and deception as the perpetration of a crime. Paint falsely, and then add a whiff of nature’ – Edgar Degas.
“Camouflage patterns found in the everyday images of war and the objects of popular culture have seeped into my consciousness and influenced this series of Dazzle Paintings. I found a strong visual relationship between camouflage and the emerging patterns of organic form in my previous paintings. Camouflage, an abstraction of nature and a powerful symbol, has a rich history that has involved artists since its inception. Although only commercially developed since 1918, camouflage has undergone several transformations and shifts in meaning from culture to culture. In the 1960’s it began its foray into the fashion world and can now be found on many commercially produced products outside of the military and hunting spheres. Global camouflage patterns primarily associated with the military have been appropriated for this series. The title, Dazzle Paintings, references the dazzle paintings on ships in WW1 and 2 that were painted with bold abstractions that disrupted the volume of the vessels and confused the enemy. In contrast I combine military camouflage patterns with an organizational structure of sacred geometry in variations of the quincunx or double cross form. By layering these two powerful symbols each element is transformed. The fluid watercolor medium acts to soften the camouflage graphics and the strict geometry of the quincunx. The transparent patterns disrupt and dissolve edges of the geometry with subtle layering that connects and dissolves shapes. The world of these paintings is in flux in lateral shifts. Many of the paintings take on a mandala-like appearance both in form and complexity completing the transformation of these disparate symbolic forms.”
There will be a reception for Pamela Marks on Wednesday, October 15, from 11am to 2pm. Marks will be giving two identical illustrated talks about her work at 11:15am and 1:15pm. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. The exhibition, reception, and lectures are free and open to the public. The Camouflage Series will be on display at the Multicultural Center in Kehr Union until October 31 and the hours are Monday through Friday 9am to 6pm, except during other scheduled events in which the gallery will be closed.
For more information:
Haas Gallery’s website
Email Lee Millard, Gallery Associate, at lmillard@bloomu.edu
Art Department: (570) 389-4646
Multicultural Center: (570) 389-4510
