Unconventional art on display at Aurora University

Winfield artist Mike Knierim admits his choice of materials can be a bit off the familiar track.

"I'm a modern-day forager," he said. "I make art from unconventional materials."

Take the images of President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Chaney and former Secretary of Defense Don Rumsfeld on saltine crackers in a Confrontation/Contemplation exhibit that recently opened at Aurora University. Those images accompany Knierim's mini-sculptures, empty antidepressant bottles, a hand-cranked generator, and oil and acrylic paintings.

"My goal is to use my art to improve our lives by creating greater awareness and understanding of ourselves, our neighbors and the world at large," he said.

Knierim's works, along with those of Carolyn Bernstein of Chicago, are on display through Feb. 25 at the university's Schingoethe Gallery in Dunham Hall, 140 Marseillaise Place, Aurora.

Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.

Knierim, a native of Batavia who now lives in Winfield, is a second-year graduate student pursuing a master of fine arts degree in painting at Northern Illinois University.

For details on the exhibit, call (630) 844-7843.