(Above: An artistic creation by Eugene artist Rogene Mañas, Barn Owl, made of found or recycled materials, or bricolage.)
By Randi Bjornstad
“Bricolage” may be a new word to many, but although it has a rather highfalutin’ sound, it has a decidedly plainspoken meaning.
Put simply, bricolage simply means something created from whatever is readily at hand for its construction. When it comes to a show titled the Art of Bricolage at the Maude Kerns Art Center, it means an exhibit of work by nine Oregon artists who create their art from recycled materials.
The show endorses and encompasses the familiar exhortation toward not casting off things no longer needed or wanted — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Reimagine — with the idea of demonstrating just how it can be done in the art world as well as the day-to-day world.
This show features the following artists:
- Costume designer and textil artist Anna Björnsdotter
- Found object assemblage an folk artist Stephanie Brockway
- Torn paper collage artist Esther Finch
- Vintage textile collage artist Mavis Leahy
- Mixed-media artist Rogene Mañas
- Bricolage artist Dan Pillers
- Metal collage artist Emily Pratt
- Textile artist and vegan taxidermist Marjorie Taylor
- Sculptor and woocarver Michaell Whitenack
As one might imagine, the creations by these artists incorporate many unusual “mediums,” varying from salvaged wood to all kinds of paper — grocery bags, magazines, papier mâché, tissue paper — to metals such as tin and nails to vintage clothing to recycled needlepoint.
Sponsors for this exhibit are Nancy Pobanz, herself a local artist, and David Wade.
The Art of Bricolage
When: Through March 22, 2024
Where: Maude Kerns Art Center, 1910 E. 15th Ave., Eugene (corner of 15th and Villard streets)
Gallery hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday when exhibits are on display
Five Miles to Vegas, by Emily Pratt uses tin, nails, wood, and paper
