Hulen exhibit is ‘Made in the USA’

FAYETTEVILLE —  Artist Jeannie Hulen’s Made in the USA exhibit is as rocker Bonnie Raitt says: “Something to Talk About.”

Cutouts of shadows of Hulan’s immediate and extended family provided the basis for her untitled installations, and her use of everyday mundane materials — such as insulation, plastic and artificial turf — was fodder for much conversation among those attending an opening reception Thursday (Feb. 2) in the Walton Art Center’s Joy Pratt Markham Gallery. Made in the USA will be on display in the gallery through April 22.

Accompanying each wall-mounted family shadow was a slip-cast porcelain three-wheeler molded from a plastic children’s toy. Each three-wheeler was a different color and embellished in a different way. The connection between the cutouts and the toys had many patrons scratching their heads — and talking.

“Her work brings out the opportunity to talk about art, family, culture, the world in which we live,” said Jenni Taylor Swain, vice president of programs.

Hulen (pronounced hue-lan) is the chairman of the University of Arkansas’ art department and associate professor of ceramics. She has held solo exhibitions in Taiwan; Houston, Texas; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Utica, New York; Kansas City, Mo.; and Fayetteville.

She has not had a solo exhibit in Fayetteville since she showed her work in the UA’s Fine Arts Gallery when she was hired in 2003.

“We’re very lucky to have her in the community and to have her work,” Swain said.

The Joy Pratt Markham Gallery was renovated in 2010 “as a way to show our commitment to connect and engage people in the visual arts,” Swain added.  “We want that space in the gallery to be provocative.”

Based on conversation going around the gallery during the opening reception, Hulan fits the bill.

More on Hulen’s art can be found at her website.