Sweet memories
The confections of childhood permeate art professor's latest exhibition
K-State art professor Lynda Andrus has turned a sweet taste of her childhood into art.
A trip Andrus and her brothers made to a candy company as children, where they each got the chance to pick out any package of candy they wanted, proved to be inspiring.
Her brothers chose chocolate; Andrus chose the candy with the most brilliant wrapper.
&1xbet online casino ;I chose my candy for the wrappers because they were so beautiful,&1xbet online casino ; she said. &1xbet online casino ;The colors glistened as if there was a light behind them.&1xbet online casino ;
Between that moment and her penchant for building 3-D creations out of odds and ends from around the house, Andrus' parents knew pretty early on that she'd grow up to be some kind of artist.
Her exhibition &1xbet online casino ;Sweet Treats&1xbet online casino ; is a throwback to her roots, combining the bright, colorful wrappers of modern-day confections with articles symbolic of the innocence and simplicity of childhood. &1xbet online casino ;Sweet Treats&1xbet online casino ; is available online at http://www.k-state.edu/art/faculty/bios/andrus_lynda/
The pieces in the exhibition were created from vintage fabrics and clothing, toys, and other items that have been embellished with candy wrappers and, sometimes, the candy itself.
In all, the exhibition consists of 20 works made from fabric, paint, candy wrappers and other found objects, most from thrift stores or antique shops.
Some are old-style pieces of clothing from Andrus' past that now are adorned with lollipop fringe. One is an abacus that uses candy pieces to keep count. There are worn metal charms, painted wagons and toys, colorful loopy rugs, even furniture decorated like a child's candy-filled dream.
&1xbet online casino ;This series of work crosses the boundaries of fine art and fiber art,&1xbet online casino ; Andrus said. &1xbet online casino ;I take an idea, then address the materials and techniques I need to execute it. A combination of sewing, painting, quilting, weaving, collage and assemblage might be used in a single piece. The union of fibers and fine arts opens up a whole new world of exploration.&1xbet online casino ;
&1xbet online casino ;Sweet Treats&1xbet online casino ; -- which Andrus has been actively displaying for about five years -- brings together her skills as an assemblage artist and her enduring fascination with bold, splashy color and simple shapes.
She was inspired to begin creating the pieces for &1xbet online casino ;Sweet Treats&1xbet online casino ; when she brought a bowl full of Starburst candy into class for her art students. As they unwrapped each piece, she began noticing the vivid colors and texture of each wrapper.
Pretty soon, the bowl of candy was accompanied by a container in which to collect the wrappers.
&1xbet online casino ;Sweet Treats&1xbet online casino ; has become a truly collaborative process, she said.
&1xbet online casino ;With the candy wrappers it really has brought my students into it, too,&1xbet online casino ; Andrus said. &1xbet online casino ;They feel like they're part of the piece. They've definitely added to it.&1xbet online casino ;
Andrus estimates that each piece of art takes 200-300 wrappers and 60-70 hours of intensive studio work to bring out its playful qualities.
&1xbet online casino ;I'm up until 2 or 3 in the morning. If you drive by my house you'll see the light on in my studio,&1xbet online casino ; Andrus said. &1xbet online casino ;You have to have a passion for it.&1xbet online casino ;
Andrus said her artistic inspiration is endless.
&1xbet online casino ;I just can't turn it off; it's not an 8-to-5 job,&1xbet online casino ; she said.
While the exhibition contains some deeper messages about childhood, Andrus said all that she ultimately wants is for people to enjoy what they're seeing.
&1xbet online casino ;I just want people to look at my pieces and smile,&1xbet online casino ; she said. &1xbet online casino ;If I get that, then that's enough.&1xbet online casino ;
Photos: Lynda Andrus, K-State art professor, poses with some pieces from her &1xbet online casino ;Sweet Treats&1xbet online casino ; exhibition. Below, some pieces from the same show. (Courtesy photos)