Ben Strand/ Winonan
Winona State University’s Paul Watkins Art Gallery is currently hosting an exhibit titled “Eutropia,” featuring the works of Erin Goedtel and Keira S. Norton through Dec. 5.
The exhibit is meant to explore the ideas behind the words euphoria, utopia and tropia, thus its title “Eutropia,” museum curator Roger Boulay said.
Boulay said the exhibit features 2-D work of Goedtel, which explores the ideas of vision and 3-D work of Norton, which explores ideas related to feminism.
“The show is meant to engage students and show them points of view about contemporary art and feminism,” Boulay said.
The 3-D sculptures created by Norton show a Native American character combating Native American myths. Boulay said Norton has the women “doing things Native American woman wouldn’t be able to do in their time.”
Boulay said both artists had submitted requests to have their artwork exhibited in the Watkins Gallery last year, but there was not enough time in the calendar year to showcase their art individually.
“I’m glad they both asked to have their artwork on display, though, because I think their pieces work nicely together,” Boulay said. “Goedtel’s 2-D pictures works with the ideas of vision and perspective, and Norton’s 3-D sculptures work with the ideas of changing perspectives of feminism and the female body.”
Boulay said individually the pieces of art have their own meaning and construction, but bringing them together creates new ideas for people to ponder, such as “re-configuring stereotypes about women and their bodies.”
Not only does the meaning behind the pieces of work complement each other, but other aspects about their artwork are complementary Boulay said.
“The similar colors in the artists’ works are nice too,” Boulay said, “it makes it more visually appealing to the viewer.”
Boulay said he described the 3-D sculptures as having a flesh-tone color that can also be seen in the 2-D pictures.
He said one of the reasons he chose to have this exhibit was because he thinks it is an exhibit that challenges viewers to think.
“It’s a little edgy and challenging, and it’s positively provocative. I think the concepts behind the artwork emphasize those notions,” Boulay said.
