"Exquisite" art on display in CHHS gallery

whole body composition
The Southwest Michigan Printmakers group, which includes several University employees, is currently exhibiting its Exquisite Corpse: Head-to-Toe & In-Between project in the second floor art gallery in the College of Health and Human 

The "Exquisite Corpse" project, aptly named for this Halloween season exhibition, is derived from an early surrealist exercise where images drawn by different artists are assembled to create figures that are strange, comical and often grotesque.

This collection of fine art prints in 'Head-to-Toe & In-Between' is in the surrealist spirit that embraces chance relationships.

Image

In the project, the human body is broken up into four areas - head, torso, legs and feet. Printmakers are then assigned an area and allowed to freely create their section. After they reproduce their prints, the sections are randomly chosen and assembled to create unique human figures.

"This is a project that all the members of SWMP really enjoyed working on," says Debbi Kreps, SWMP member and graphic designer in WMU's Office of Marketing and Strategic Communication. "Each time the project is exhibited, the works are uniquely arranged. It's different every time, which makes it really fun to set up."

A version of the Exquisite Corpse exhibit is also at East End Gallery in Marshall, Michigan until Nov. 6.

About the SW Michigan Printmakers group

Founded in the late 1970s, SWMP is a diverse and informal group of regional artist/printmakers dedicated to the creation of handmade and fine art prints. Meeting bi-monthly, the group encourages artists working in printmaking and promotes excellence in various print mediums. Through exhibitions of their works, SWMP helps encourage public knowledge, understanding and support for printmaking.