Student artist exhibits work at Aurora University
Works by Aurora University senior art major Kayle Rieger of Oswego are on display through Friday, May 9, at the university's Phillips Library, 315 S. Gladstone Ave., Aurora.
Rieger's exhibit, "Exploitation: Portraits of Humanity," includes charcoal and graphite drawings. The display is part of Rieger's senior honors program, which focuses on the relationship of humans and nature.
The exhibit is free. Library hours are 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday.
"I create visual art to change people's perceptions, to make people look at the world with a new perspective," Rieger said. "In exploring the world making unseen connections, the mundane and everyday become beautiful while twisting preconceived beauty into something it isn't; the overlooked are spotlighted, the idols cast aside or exploited.
"Bold contrast of black charcoal and graphite on white gives my pieces strength and presence, and the use of human anatomy draws viewers in to my surrealist world.
"In this visual realm, man and nature are one - in numerous ways - and their relationships question our understandings of human superiority of Earth.
"The parasitic nature of man's exploitation of Earth is turned upside down to force its re-evaluation in the minds of the viewers.
"The exhibit began in a very subconscious way," Rieger added. "All of the images depict a human-nature relationship; one in which the human is not the dominating force."
It wasn't Rieger's goal to be an artist. But art is what interested her most when she came to Aurora University.
"I always enjoyed mathematics and science, but knew I needed a creative career path," she said. "The classes I have taken and the opportunities I have had at AU have given me a taste of life as an artist, from understanding and creating art to exhibiting and being able to discuss my work with audiences."
During her time at Aurora University, Rieger supplemented her major with minors in biology, museum studies and psychology.
"I've truly been able to explore subjects that have helped to shape my vision of my future career," she said.
This fall, she will begin a museum studies master's program at the University of Kansas.
"I love the world of museums and hope to find a niche for myself. I'm interested in becoming a collections manager and working with art, natural history and other unique collections," Rieger said.