Roxanne Smith-Mansell has been exploring paper as a medium for building layered box constructions. Trained as a printmaker, she has always been attracted to the three-dimensional quality of printing plates. Her new work combines her love of three-dimensional surfaces, watercolor, and cut paper with her interest in fractal designs and architectural features. These small intricate window constructions feature the shapes and spaces of natural geometry and architectonic forms. Because of their small scale and high degree of detail, the pieces require the viewer’s intimate involvement.
In her statement, Smith-Mansell writes:
"I have combined two of my favorite processes in this body of work. The first is watercolor, which I’ve used in a manner that is not the traditional, representational one that I am accustomed to using. The second technique is layered cut paper. This is a process I’ve used to make greeting cards for years.
"I have been exploring some basic technical and compositional problems while working on this series. They include color relationships, triads and monochromatic themes, and geometric design elements. Symmetry and balance are important elements in my designs. The layering of cut paper adds a sculptural quality to these pieces.
"Geometric forms found in architecture and in nature influence my designs. Queen Anne’s Lace, Ammonite and Christmas Tree are based on fractal patterns found in nature. Seagull and Cinquefoil are based on other natural geometric forms."
Curator, Mabi Ponce de Leon is a long-time member of the Art League, and a current member of the OAL Board of Trustees. She is an artist herself, and an art teacher at the Bexley High School.
ABOUT OAL
About the MCE Program: The Ohio Art League invites it’s 800+ artists to submit a short written proposal to the Exhibition Committee. Exhibitions can be thematic, retrospective or otherwise. A proposal includes an outline for an exhibition describing the idea, well thought out and presented with visuals. The proposals are reviewed by a committee of League members, and are selected based on the exhibition idea. Once a proposal is approved and scheduled the committee does not interfere with the integrity of the exhibition.
The Ohio Art League is a nonprofit membership-based organization, dedicated to the presentation and support of
Ohio artists. The gallery is located at 954 N. High Street in Columbus’ Short North. The gallery is open to the
public every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 12 -5 pm. For more information please
contact Ellen Grevey at 614-299-8225.
The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth,
educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.
IMAGE
Roxanne Smith-Mansell,
Clerestory,
watercolor, cut paper
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