Adhere

Artists: Tirtzah Bassel, Travis Childers, Kayt Hester, Ye Hongxing, Vandana Jain, Hong Seon Jang, Mark Khaisman, Sandra Ono, Johan Rjpma, Heidi van Wieren

Adhere

Adhesives are materials commonly used to stick multiple components together. Most of the time they bind objects or fix broken items and remain hidden from view. Instead of masking them, the ten Adhere artists feature stickers, tapes and glues as their primary mediums—approaching these materials in very different ways. The exhibition includes several site-specific installations, incorporating the first floor hallway gallery as well as the Art Center’s elevator.

The artists use adhesives to create line and form, build surface texture, modulate tonal valve, and convey color. Some use the properties of the adhesive to capture images from secondary sources while others use the adhesives as the subject, allowing the materials to speak for themselves. Many explore concepts that reference culture, consumerism, and entertainment or depict human behavior. By using an unconventional art-making medium, all of the artists experiment with expendable material and discover its potential. The work showcased in this exhibition reveals the transformation from an ordinary office supply to an elevated art medium. The results are unexpected and beautiful.