Culture

Area School Teacher’s Art Featured at OU-Lancaster

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The work of Lancaster-area artist Robert Wright will be on display in Ohio University Lancaster’s Raymond S. Wilkes Gallery for the Visual Arts this fall.

“Robert Wright is a local artist and school teacher,” said OUL Adjunct Art Instructor Trisha Clifford-Sprouse. “He has worked in Fairfield County schools for many years and is currently working at Circleville High School.  He has been a featured artist for the Lancaster Festival poster in the past.”

The show is called Robert Wright Up to Now and showcases a recent change in the type of art Wright is making.

“For over 40 years I have been using figurative motion as a catalyst for making art. As a deaf artist engaged in a life-long struggle to comprehend the world around me, I rely on gestural figures to chart my growth.”

Artwork by Robert Wright

With subconscious references to calligraphy and hieroglyphics, Wright said he tries to direct the viewer away from literally interpreting what one sees toward a more internalized type of seeing.

“My mark-making process transforms simple gestural representations into an elusive search for clarity,” he explained. “Lately, I have been moved to do more realistic work, especially portraits. Gesture is still a primary concern of mine; hence I try to capture a more casual portrait of someone I know. I take many reference photographs and generally ‘compose’ my primary reference from several different photos. I enjoy doing portraits because I like people, and it is another way to experience people ‘moving’ through life.”

The exhibit opens on Sept. 17 and will be on display through Dec. 11. An artist reception will be held Sept. 17 from 5-7 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

Clifford-Sprouse said OUL students, especially those majoring in Deaf Studies and Interpreting and Education, will get a lot out of Wright’s show.

Wright will also give an artist presentation on Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. in the art gallery.  He will talk about how his art students in Circleville won a trip to New York City and $4,000 in the Vans Custom Culture art contest.