Vignette: Tammy Burke

Tammy Burke inside Navy and orange personal enclosure

Tammy Burke is a multi-disciplinary artist working on her MFA through the Hite Institute for Art at the University of Louisville. Her history shows a good deal of installation and performance work, and here she shows us a concentration on the tactile as well as visual textures of fabric in recent sculptural pieces. In her statement she explicates her unique take on materialism:

“We use materials to psychologically or physically transform us every day, to conduct daily living, by believing in them to catapult us to higher moments, and by designing an identity. I create constructions that comment on and respond to humans’ sometimes irrational, but deeply seated relationships to things, how people use things and materials to generate and reinforce meaning, to project beliefs and identities, and how fragile but potent that dependency is.”

"Marbled enclosure" by Tammy Burke, umbrella frames, fabric, paint, LED candles, blacklight, paper hand fans, ink, table, exotic plant, black light, 2017

“Possessions project meaning and construct identities. The body is a charged vehicle, unequally distributed, and the bearer of our intentions, delivering coded messages through possessions: adornments, positions, companions, vehicles, and domiciles. Regarding this, Russell Belk summarized Sartre: ‘the only reason we want to have something is to enlarge our sense of self, and the only way we can know who we are is by observing what we have.’* Possessions act to amplify, mask, or create the self. They describe and extend the self and have the power to transform a believer. Identity is a territory, which can be acquired or at least pantomimed through possessions and performance.”

“Materials embody beliefs and facilitate sacred acts. Rituals, among life’s daily routines, are intentional simulations in which the outcomes may not be certain, but desired and envisioned. The ritual process may be the totality of the experience, but through ritual simulation we manufacture transcendence. For the faithful participant, objects and materials used to carry out, or that are produced through rituals become cathected.”

“Cathexis involves the charging of an object, or idea with emotional energy by the individual. They retain residues of the encounter in the mind of the participant. The simulation hallows the materials as well as the faithful.”

“I provide sensory experiences through seductive constructions. They may be exotic spaces, imagery, and materials, or commonplace things thinly veiled with pageantry. These objects provide an opportunity to experience cathexis. In turn, the viewer-participant’s engagement cathects these objects and materials, a transformative process for the construction, just as the encounter may be for the visitor. The materials are the message, and momentarily, they deliver something greater than their parts. Momentarily, they look divine. For a moment they enable a transformation.”

"Tall black personal enclosure" by Tammy Burke, umbrella frame, wood, gold leaf, sequined fabric, 48x82in, 2018

Burke has kept a busy exhibition schedule while working on her MFA, most recently mounting an installation concurrent with the run of Eurydice, at the U of L Thrust Theater in January, and participating in the Artlink Regional Exhibition, Artlink Contemporary Gallery, Fort Wayne, IN, January through March of this year.

Hometown: Jeffersonville, Indiana
Education: MFA Candidate, Hite Art Institute; MA Media Communications, Webster University; BFA Painting, Herron School of Art, IUPUI
Website: tammymburke.com

Belk, Russell W. “Possessions and the Extended Self”. Journal of Consumer Research, 15 No. 2 (1988), pp. 139-168. New York: Oxford University Press. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2489522.

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"Tall black personal enclosure" (detail) by Tammy Burke, umbrella frame, wood, gold leaf, sequined fabric, 48x82in, 2018

"Exponential" by Tammy Burke, cardboard boxes, sequin tarp, 9x12x8ft, 2018

"Big Dumb" by Tammy Burke, wood, cardboard, spandex, zippers, 62in diameter, 2017

"Navy and orange personal enclosure" by Tammy Burke, umbrella frame, wood, gold leaf, synthetic fabrics, 56x56in, 2018

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Written by Keith Waits. Entire contents copyright © 2018 Louisville Visual Art. All rights reserved.

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Vignette: Jaime Corum

It is the sport of Kings, but Jaime Corum paints horses as if they themselves are the royal subjects.

"Racing Frieze 1" by Jaime Corum, oil on wood panel

Where once a portraitist would depict a monarch in a controlled studio setting, Corum honors the horse with the same reverent approach, imbuing them with a similar lofty dignity. In these portraits, the supple but powerful forms are carefully positioned and lit, placed against deliberately artificial backdrops such as the tapestry in “Amando and Onne”. Corum cites George Stubbs as a key influence, and she has the same formality, the same thorough and complete observation of anatomy, and the same romantic point-of-view of equine nobility.

Corum also paints thoroughbreds in action, but the formal portraits are easily the more distinctive work. She sees the considerable range of expression in these animals; the contrast of mass, power, and speed against the impossible delicacy of the limbs and the graceful, fluid movement. For centuries the horse has worked for us, taken us into battle, and occupied the center of a multi-million dollar sporting industry.

The horse has also played a crucial role in culture, figuring prominently in human mythology and poetry. Symbolic of the force and beauty that are its natural attributes, it carries death, plague, pestilence - but also hope, purity, redemption in equal measure. They occupy our dreams and bear witness to our history:

"Ghost in the Darkness" by Jaime Corum, oil on wood panel

The black horse crooks his
forelegs, the hills split open,
his nostrils pour flame.
Snort, snort through miles,
O charger, through rock.

From The Black Horse Rider - by Pierre Loving

For the White Horse knew England
When there was none to know;
He saw the first oar break or bend,
He saw heaven fall and the world end,
O God, how long ago.

From The Ballad Of The White Horse - by G. K. Chesterton

Can any other animal claim as much symbolic importance in humanity’s understanding of itself? Corum, of course, is not alone in this understanding, but the manner in which her work locates a distinctly continental tradition in equine imagery exemplifies this idea without resorting to kitsch, and she shows restraint in her embrace of sentimentality. She sees the horse for what it is, and while companionship is recognized as vital, her horses resist precociousness.

Jaime Corum is based in Louisville, Kentucky. Her equine art is inspired and refined by her own experience with horses, especially her own horse Chesapeake. She is currently exhibiting in Poetry in Motion: The Equine Art of Jaime Corum and Richard Sullivan at The Brown Hotel through July 1, 2018

Photo: Leo Osborn

Hometown: Pineville, Kentucky
Education: Bellarmine University
Website: jaimecorumequineart.com
Gallery Representation: Kentucky Fine Art Gallery (Louisville), New Editions Gallery (Lexington), Tilting at Windmills Gallery (Vermont & Saratoga, NY)

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"Amando & Onne" by Jaime Corum, oil on canvas

"Her Treasures" by Jaime Corum, oil on gessoboard

"Engine" by Jaime Corum,  oil and gold enamel on wood panel.

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Written by Keith Waits. Entire contents copyright © 2018 Louisville Visual Art. All rights reserved.

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The Academy at LVA 2018 Senior Spotlight: Claire Mundy

Claire Mundy took classes with LVA for about eight years with Mr. Dean Mistler at Scribner Middle School and Indiana University Southeast.

She won a second place award and scholarship at the 2018 Ivy Tech Art Competition. Claire placed in 4H competitions for two years, and this year she also placed in several events with her Academic Bowl team. With all of this and making art, Claire also is very active in her church, volunteering each month with the food pantry and Community Meal, and having participated on several work mission trips.

In the fall of 2018 Claire will be attending the University of Montana, where she has received a Leadership, Achievement, & Service scholarship for $11,000. She will be majoring in Environmental Sciences and Wildlife Biology.

“LVA classes have not only helped me become a better artist, but they made me want to be better and to push myself. Art is a huge part of my life and LVA has been with me for most of my journey as an artist. I wouldn’t be where I was today without these classes.”

Claire's work is included in The Academy at LVA Exhibition, which will be on display May 9 - 16 at Louisville Visual Art, 1538 Lytle Street in the Portland neighborhood. Gallery Hours are Monday through Thursday, 12-4pm, or by appointment. 

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The Academy at LVA 2018 Senior Showcase: Payton Sprau

Payton Sprau was a student in the Academy at LVA for 4 years, taking Drawing 1 and 2, and Digital Art classes. She first became involved with LVA’s Children’s Fine Art Classes (CFAC) after being nominated in sixth grade.

Payton attended a small Christian based school that had no visual art curriculum, so her participation in CFAC was crucial for her. She was involved in several after-school sports: soccer, volleyball, basketball, softball, and she was in the senior production of Cinderella, but she was still motivated enough to find time for art classes. During high school, Payton was also a Senior Girl Scout and volunteer aide at the Shanituck Day Camp every summer.

"I was accepted into both Northern Kentucky University and Purdue Polytechnic. For both colleges, I’ve been offered an average of $7,000 because of my test scores and GPA, and for being a Kentucky resident."

“Because of the people I have met and learned from I can say with honesty and pride that I have become a more supportive person for younger artists to lean on and gather inspiration from. I have learned to be more accepting of everyone’s unique attributes and to acknowledge people with greater capabilities without feeling personally threatened. Wilma Bethel was an amazing teacher for the past 5 years. She made a connection with me and I learned to accept my flaws and constantly work to improve not only my art but also myself. I can say without a doubt that she has made a positive difference in my life.”

Payton's work is included in The Academy at LVA Exhibition, which will be on display May 9 - 16 at Louisville Visual Art, 1538 Lytle Street in the Portland neighborhood. Gallery Hours are Monday through Thursday, 12-4pm, or by appointment. 

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The Academy at LVA 2018 Senior Spotlight: River Skipworth

River Skipworth has been taking Louisville Visual Art (LVA) classes for nine years, starting in fourth grade and continuing up through his senior year. His teachers have included Annette Cable, William Duffy, Dennis Whitehouse, Claudia Hammer, Colin Lloyd, and Sunny Ra, and ranged in location from Douglass Community Center to DuPont Manuel High School, Spalding University, and the Holy Trinity/Clifton Community Center.

He has received nine Gold Keys, a Gold Key Portfolio, two Silver Keys, and Eight Honorable Mentions in the Scholastic art Awards. River also won a first, two seconds, and a third place in the KY Art Education Association All State Art Awards in the region, and a second place in the state. He was a member of Art Club at school, and participated in Studio 2000 (through Metro Parks & LVA), The Future is Now (a mentorship program through LVA), and the Governor’s School for the Arts (GSA).

River will be attending Murray State University in fall 2018. “So far I have received around $4,000 in financial aid, KEES money and academic scholarships. I plan on majoring in some art form, but I haven’t decided yet exactly which one. I have also won the John Botto Award for overall body of work in the 2018 Scholastic Art Awards that included a scholarship of $250.”

“I give Louisville Visual Art (LVA) a lot of credit over the years for helping me succeed in not only the many classes but also helping me to participate in multiple programs including: Studio 2000, The Future is Now, and GSA. I have also volunteered for a United Way daycare teaching art to kids for a week during Christmas break, and for Squallis Puppeteers on multiple occasions. The class I have enjoyed and learned from the most is Painting with Dennis Whitehouse and Sunny Ra.”

“Children’s Fine Art Classes (CFAC) and The Academy at LVA have made a huge impact on my life, I would not be the artist I am today with out the many years and mentors I have learned from. I have enjoyed learning from each and every one of these teachers and have tried to absorb as much of their knowledge and skill as possible. It saddens me to know that this constant source of help and guidance for me will soon be gone, but I hope it will continue to help and inspire young artists in Louisville like my little sister. I have recommended CFAC to many people and feel that this program is more important to our community than it has been credited. All of my teachers have been great but I feel that Mr. William Duffy has gone above and beyond for me, not only because I was with him the longest but also because I could always tell he genuinely cared for me and the other students. He is very knowledgeable in multiple techniques and is an overall kind human. Thank you.”

River's work will be included in The Academy at LVA Exhibition, which will be on display May 9 - 16 at Louisville Visual Art, 1538 Lytle Street in the Portland neighborhood. Gallery Hours are Monday through Thursday, 12-4pm, or by appointment. There will be a reception Friday, May 11, 6-8pm.

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Entire contents copyright © 2018 Louisville Visual Art. All rights reserved

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