Should I, or Shouldn’t I?

ABOVE: painting by Katy Richards

Rule: an accepted principle or instruction that states the way things are or should be done, and tells you what you are allowed or are not allowed to do. Some rules—such as the laws of physics—must be followed, while other rules—like rolling through a stop sign, leaving dirty dishes in a communal sink or abusing power—are easily broken. What is it about rules that makes us want to break them?

At the Shaker Community Gallery this spring, we are going to be exploring that question with the work of three phenomenal local artists. On April 24, SCG is proud to kick off our season with the exhibition Should I, or Shouldn’t I? The exhibition is curated by Dawn Tekler and features Hadley Conner, Katy Richards and Eric Rippert.

This exhibition aims to explore rules, adhering to them as well as breaking them in hopes of examining why humans create rules only to break them. While rules serve a purpose and help us avoid chaos in society (broadly) or in a much more intimate setting like a home, we also find ways to bend or even break them. Artists are sometimes held to some types of rules, yet others work with no boundaries. Each artist has a way of dealing with rules, either those that are self-imposed or those that may be imposed by some other force.

Hadley Conner focuses on portraiture and the human presence to tell her story. She continues to use film exclusively, but often incorporates collage, printmaking, and encaustic mediums within her pieces.

Eric Rippert had been known for years as a photographer. Recently, he has been exploring—quite successfully—abstract paintings, though he also works in drawing and photography. His artwork comes from an introspective examination and external reality check.

The work of Katy Richards focuses on creating a fluid relationship between materiality and representation within painting.

The exhibition opens on Wednesday, April 24, from 6:00pm through 9:00pm and runs through June 8. Shaker Community Gallery (SCG) is a community-based fine art gallery formed by a small group of volunteers with an interest in promoting art and culture in Shaker Heights. We are located at 3445 Warrensville Center Road, in Christ Episcopal Church in Shaker Heights. During exhibitions, SCG hours are Monday through Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm, and Saturdays from noon to 4:00pm or by appointment. Contact Leslye Arian at 216.926.8842 or leslye.arian@gmail.com.

 

SHOULD I, OR SHOULDN’T I? WORKS OF HADLEY CONNER, KATY RICHARDS & ERIC RIPPERT, CURATED BY DAWN TEKLER | APRIL 24–JUNE 8
RECEPTION 6–9PM WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24

Shaker Community Gallery
3445 Warrensville Center Road
Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122
216.926.8842
shakercommunitygallery.org