PNW 18th Odyssey Sculpture and Art Exhibit

Purdue University Northwest will celebrate the opening of its 18th Odyssey Sculpture and Art Exhibit with a public reception at 4:30 p.m. CT, Friday, Nov. 11 in the James B. Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex (DSAC) on the Westville Campus.

The event will debut multi-piece contemporary sculpture and new art collections on the Westville and Hammond campuses. Guests may take self-guided tours of the sculpture and art on campus and view more than 20 works of sculpture and installations of paintings, photographs and a tapestry in the DSAC.

Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served prior to formal remarks that begin at 5:30 p.m. with a welcome by Chancellor Emeritus James B. Dworkin.

Sculptures grace Hammond and Westville campuses “Now that our campuses are unified, we have space to develop extensive collections, inside many buildings and on both campus’s grounds. More than 10 artists have donated works to PNW in the last six months,” said Judy Jacobi, PNW assistant vice chancellor of University Art Collections and Special Programs.

“Our goal is to ensure that great art is part of everyone’s college experience. We are installing works to promote the greatest visibility possible. Art gives our university a great vibe.”

New sculptures at the Westville Campus are:

  • Birdman by the Zhou Brothers. This red steel piece reflects the brothers’ guiding philosophy of “Feeling and Liberty” that is evident in their figurative sculptures. PNW recently received a gift of 12 Zhou Brothers paintings and small sculptures displayed on both campuses.
  • Atlantic Avenue Tumble by Ken Thompson. The steel piece is the second in a series of sculptures recalling the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, portraying homes that have been uprooted and strewn upon the iconic Atlantic City boardwalk.
  • Rosa Parks Bench by James Gallucci. Gallucci, known for his historically themed sculptural benches, created this steel bench that recalls the role of Rosa Parks in the 1955-56 Birmingham, Ala. bus boycott. The bench includes Parks’ advice that, “Each person should live their life as a model for others.”
  • The Underwater Guy by Matthew Berg. In painted steel, aluminum and copper, it is an homage to the power of weather systems, fueled in part by the oceans.
  • Castaway by John Habela. This abstract, six-foot carved wood piece suggests isolation and abandonment.

Recently arrived sculptures at the Hammond Campus are:

  • Major by John Adduci. Abstract and whimsical, its welded aluminum symbolizes the exaggerated motion of a drum major, as the marching band strides into motion.
  • Boundless by Boyan Marinov. This life-size figure is made of 600 feet of steel chain. “The shackles we wear and the weight they bear have a powerful pull,” Marinov said, “but in all of us is the strength to break free.”
  • Woman with a Hat by Terrence Karpowicz. Made of steel, granite and polymer industrial material, this piece was inspired by the playful figurative work of Picasso.
  • Dancing Lady by Tom Scarff. This abstract work of aluminum sports the familiar imminent flight-like movement of a figure.
  • Atheon’s Light by Dan Shaughnessy. This stainless steel work references the character Atheon in the video game “Destiny.” Its many thin tubes emanate light at night.
  • Vessel #111 by Eric Stephenson. Abstract stainless steel is punctuated by a red blown-glass element on the segmented monolith vessel, making it look eerily alien.
  • Two in the Hand by Michael Young. This brushed aluminum piece is intertwined with moving flora and fauna.
  • Chicago Street Sign Rescue Project, by Michelle Wiser. Fragments of cast off and distressed steel street signs create a six- foot square, wall-mounted piece that combines the art of objet trouve (found objects) with the tradition of American quilting design.
  • The Readers Corner by Christine Perri. A diorama of carved wood figures and found objects suggests the evolution of story-telling by the bards of ancient times to the experience of reading books today.
  • The Offering by Tom Olesker. This 6-foot painted sculpture made of wood, papier-mâché and found objects derives its concept from the Mexican Huichol Indian god of creation.

Painters, photographers and a fiber artist have recently either donated or made their works available to PNW including Carole Harmel, Arthur Lerner, William Conger, Mel Theobald, Kat King. Mike Koscielniak, Vera Klement, Lialia Kuchma, Susan Sensemann, Frank Piatek, Judith Geichman, Darryl Moody, Patty Carroll, Michael Miller, Harold Zisla, Michelle Wiser, Carol Stodder, Robert Stanley, Michael Chelich, Frank Dudley, Tom Olesker and John Horwitz. Works are housed at the Westville and Hammond campuses.

Guests are welcome to view the campus art The Odyssey sculpture exhibit and selected art in the public areas are open for viewing during university hours. Customized tours are available for both adults and children, free of charge. To arrange a tour, contact University Art Collections and Special Events Coordinator Elizabeth Bernel, at 219-785-5719 or ebernel@pnw.edu. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Bernel.

Purdue University Northwest Purdue University Northwest (PNW), a comprehensive regional university within the Purdue University system, has two campuses in Hammond and Westville in Northwest Indiana. The university was formed by the unification in 2016 of the former Purdue University Calumet and Purdue University North Central. With more than 15,000 students and nearly 70 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, Purdue Northwest is Indiana’s fifth largest public university. For more information about PNW, visit www.pnw.edu.