Terri Saulin: Lines of Flight

Exhibit Dates: September 17 to October 20, 2009

Opening Reception: Thursday, September 17, 2009, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Artist Talk begins at 7:15 p.m.

September 14, 2009

HANCOCK, MI - Lines of Flight, an exhibition of artwork by Philadelphia artist Terri Saulin, is featured at the Finlandia University Gallery, located in the Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock, from September 17 to October 20, 2009.

An opening reception for the artist will take place at the gallery Thursday, September 17, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. An artist talk will begin at 7:15 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Flipping, deleting, expanding, speeding up, slowing down, layering, and distilling visual material into art pieces, Terri Saulin creates artwork organic in nature and layered with meaning. Her interest in biology, botany, classical music, geology, and gastronomy are evident in every nook and crevice of her densely textured ceramic pieces.

Although her process begins in sculpture, it develops into drawing (a backward play on the traditional preliminary sketch to final sculpture). Drawings and plaster prints, supplemented by their ceramic references, will be exhibited in Lines of Flight.

"My process begins by making three-dimensional forms as a response to external stimuli. I photograph the forms in various stages of production, further distilling their essence. They are a record; my still life," notes Saulin describing her working process.

"The photographs and the three dimensional forms are then manipulated in various configurations, providing easily digestible material to fuel drawings. I am working backwards. I am using the installation as a research tool to make drawings," she adds.

While her organic forms suggest the continual change and adaptation of nature, their meaning is enriched by their underlying philosophical ideas. "My current models and inspirations throughout this process have been the Canadian pianist Glenn Gould and the book, "A Thousand Plateaus: Capitalism and Schizophrenia," by Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guitarri," notes Saulin.

"Saulin's weaving of form and meaning invites the viewer to ask questions, and to interpret and leave the exhibit with a sense of wonder," says Carrie Flaspohler, director of the Finlandia University Gallery.

Theresa Saulin received her MFA from the University of the Arts and her BFA from Moore College of Art and Design, both in Philadelphia, Penn. She currently teaches Critical Discourse and a variety of ceramics and sculpture classes for Moore College of Art and Design's BFA program, their Young Artist's Workshop, and their Continuing Studies programs. She also teaches children at Society Hill Synagogue.

Saulin will be on the Finlandia University campus the week of September 14 to 18, 2009, providing individual critiques to students. She will present a public talk at the opening reception for her exhibit on Thursday, September 17, at 7:00 p.m.

The Finlandia University Gallery is in the Finnish American Heritage Center, 435 Quincy St., Hancock. Gallery hours are Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or by appointment. Please call 906-487-7500 for more information.

Photo Cutlines:

Photo 1: The artist Theresa Saulin

Photo 2: Deterritorialisation 1 2009 Lino cut, chine colle, 22" x 15"

Please contact karen.johnson@finlandia.edu if you would like to receive the photos.