MARSHFIELD – The art exhibit “Recent Works and Other Distractions:  Figurative Paintings by John Scotello," will open on Tuesday, Sept. 5, in Gallery 450 in the Helen Connor Laird Fine Arts Building at the UW-Marshfield/Wood County.

“John's articulated use of ‘systems’ to elaborate on his painting structures will give the viewer a clear insight into the self-imposed ‘fictions’ that John is investigating through the painting medium and the figurative imagery,” said Julie Dierauer, manager of Gallery 450. “It is with great pleasure that we present his work as the first show of our ‘Inspirations and Ideas’ exhibition series.”

Scotello is an assistant professor of Art at UW-Fond du Lac. He received his Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees in painting and drawing from UW-Milwaukee, Department of Visual Art, Peck School of the Arts.

“This work reflects a course of painterly, self-imposed research that allowed me to represent my own body and form,” Scotello said. “I am looking outwardly via the heroic pastiche to enable my looking back inwardly, through an art historical connection. 

“As a result, I discovered multiple public personas that stand in constant conflict with one another, but, ironically, in support of my actual character, passions and fears that combine to form my identity. By taking on these personas, I assume the images that I desire to be, and therefore give my audience a frame of reference in which to look at me.  This narcissism of the imaginary is about my relation to my external and internal self-image, and includes multiple symbolic dimensions. Each symbol, object and gesture is a signifier meant to generate meaning in the context of the spectacle of our contemporary visual culture, and is intended to comment my artistic and art historical passions.

“Even the textures (derived from thick and thin application), the sheen and gloss of the works, and the cathartic scribbled brushwork are indicators of higher meaning and historical connection,” Scotello said. “By consciously incorporating an artistic ideal, my work reveals that we all are controlled by systems that we have little or no influence over-art historically, environmentally, or through our relationships with others.  With the added influence of comedic devices that are as much a part of me as painting is, these pieces show that I understand the works are fictions and derived for self-enlightenment and entertainment. I am the spectacle.”

“Recent Works and Other Distractions:  Figurative Paintings by John Scotello” will conclude with a gallery lecture and reception at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, in Gallery 450 of the Helen Connor Laird Fine Arts Building.  This exhibit is the first of four exhibits that make up the 2006-07 “Inspirations and Ideas” exhibition series. The other exhibits are as follows:

● “UW-Oshkosh BFA Students’ Exhibition,” Nov.13-Jan. 5. Featuring the work of UW-Oshkosh Bachelor of Fine Arts Students. 

● “The Fine Art of Photogravure,” March 1- 31. Featuring  prints by Bernice Ficek-Swenson. Lecture/workshop 10 a.m. Thursday, March 1.

● UW-Marshfield/Wood County Student Art Exhibition, April 16-May 20. Featuring the work of UW-M/WC student artists.  A Student Art Sale will be held from 5-7:30 p.m. Friday, May 11, in Gallery 450.

Gallery 450 is open 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and during all performances in the Helen Connor Laird Theatre.

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