Southeast Missouri State University student publication

Washington University professor showcases mixed media at River Campus

Monday, March 7, 2016
Ron Fondaw's exhibit "Shaky Ground" is on display through March 22 in the River Campus Art Gallery.
Photo by Temulji Hughes

Fondaw will hold a juror lecture noon - 1 p.m. March 23 in the Glenn Convocation Center

The walls of the River Campus Art Gallery at Southeast Missouri State University have come alive as mixed media artist Ron Fondaw is presenting his collection "Shaky Ground," which opened Monday and will run through March 22.

Fondaw is the area coordinator of sculpture at Washington University in St. Louis and was invited by Southeast sculpture professor Chris Wubbena to be the guest juror of the Annual Juried Student Exhibition that will be held later this spring.

"Each year we invite the person that will be the juror for the students' show to do a solo show that will give students an opportunity to see the work of the person that would then be judging their work once it makes it to their show," Justin Miller, River Campus Art Gallery coordinator, said.

Miller also felt Fondaw's versatility as an artist made him a good pick as a juror.

"One of the things that's great about Ron's show is it's so versatile -- there's sculptural stuff, painting, drawing, everything packed into one show, and that's what is going to make him a good juror," Miller said.

Fondaw, who is originally from Paducah, Kentucky, is a 1972 graduate of Cape Central High School and taught around the country after he earned his Master of Fine Arts from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Fondaw said his inspiration for the show came from the timely topic of clean water in America.

"With the recent events in Flint, Michigan, that has become popular, clean water doesn't exist anymore," Fondaw said. "It has been polluted by such things as 'fracking,' that is, the injection of chemicals into the ground to release oil."

Fondaw believes showing his pieces brings awareness to the issue and contributes significantly to the conversation. Ultimately, he hopes his work will bring about change.

"I was speaking with students who weren't aware of the issue, and although it has made headlines in recent times, college students can get into a 'bubble' and not really be aware of what's going on," Fondaw said "So, as an artist, I believe that the era of art as self expression is over, and I must use my pieces to bring awareness to issues that are affecting everyone."

The show will feature something for everyone, and Fondaw said the inclusion of paintings, drawings, ceramics, sculpting and glasswork will be an enjoyment for all.

The River Campus Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the Seminary Building in Room 106 and is open to the public. Hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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