Shifting Sediments

Shifting Sediments opens in the Birke Art Gallery in Smith Hall Aug. 30 and remains on view through Sept. 30. Shifting Sediments juxtaposes the artworks of Caroline Hatfield, Andrew Needle and Kathleen Thum, all of whom focus on the material qualities of the earth beneath our feet.

Hatfield has constructed a river of glistening coal slag that empties into the center of the gallery, illuminated by the soft orange glow of an industrial beacon light. Nearby on surrounding walls, Thum’s skillfully rendered drawings of coal make a powerful connection to the river of slag, highlighting coal’s visual/material qualities amongst the myriad social/economic/political ones. Rounding out the exhibition, Needle’s close-up paintings illuminate the colors and textures of natural forms as transformed by time and exposure to the elements.

Visitors to this exhibition are invited into a conversation about time, transformation, and meaning in relation to the land. The public is invited to a closing reception at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29.

All School of Art and Design events are free and open to the public. For more information and to find out about the gallery hours, navigate to the website https://www.marshall.edu/art-galleries/ or call the School of Art and Design at 304-696-7299.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all events are subject to change and visitors should call the School of Art and Design or check the website for up-to-date information. All visitors, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to wear masks in both galleries.