Art Exhibits on Display Nov. 12–Dec. 5, 2024
Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) art galleries are exhibiting four new exhibitions. The Main Gallery is hosting two Bay Area artists, Courtney Sennish and Lisa Rock. Our third-floor galleries will also be hosting three local artists exhibiting solo exhibitions. The exhibitions run from Tuesday, November 12, to Thursday, December 5, 2024, at four locations on the Dandini Campus. There will be an opening artists’ reception on Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 5-7 p.m. at the V. James Eardley Student Center and Red Mountain Gallery on the 3rd floor in the Red Mountain Building on the Dandini Campus. Refreshments will be available, and exhibitions are made free and open to the public.
TMCC Main Gallery: Roadside Attraction by Courtney Sennish & Lisa Rock
Roadside Attraction by Courtney Sennish and Lisa Rock, an exhibition that explores the intersection of urban infrastructure and natural growth. This pairing of sculptures and two-dimensional works draws from the visual language of the urban landscape, highlighting the coexistence and contrast between built and planted environments. Courtney Sennish’s sculptures and prints transform everyday materials like concrete and metal into aesthetically rich abstractions of urban life, elevating often-overlooked elements such as street grids and architectural lines. In contrast, Lisa Rock’s paintings focus on the resilience of nature within urban sprawl. Her vibrant brushstrokes capture how plants carve out spaces amid concrete jungles, revealing the quiet vitality of vegetation. Both artists utilize pattern, texture, color, and shape to create a dialogue between their works. Together, Sennish’s industrial forms and Rock’s organic depictions foster a cohesive visual experience that encourages viewers to reevaluate their surroundings. Roadside Attraction celebrates the harmony and contrast between constructed and natural environments, inviting appreciation for the beauty found within this interplay.
Red Mountain Gallery: Stitching in Silence, Beneath the Skin by Sogand Tabatabaei
Stitching in Silence, Beneath the Skin by Sogand Tabatabaei, explores the tension between personal and collective memories of home. Sogand's work merges individual experiences with shared histories to articulate a quest for freedom and justice. Influenced by Persian miniature painting and book arts, her detailed drawings and symbolic collages draw from her upbringing in Iran, where urban landscapes and folklore shaped her identity. Her art captures the warmth of childhood memories, from the chill of mornings at the bus stop to the scent of bitter orange blossoms during Nowrooz, while also confronting the darker realities of growing up under a theocratic dictatorship, Sogand’s work documents national trauma, serving as a testament to resilience against oppressive regimes. Using collage as both a concept and medium, she reconstructs fragmented memories and emotions, reflecting the complexities of trauma, survival, and identity.
Erik Lauritzen Gallery: Ded & Co. by Eddie Guth
Located on the third floor of the Red Mountain Building near office 321, features Ded & Co. by Eddie Guth. Guth, who is a traditionally trained oil painter, has always approached his work by carefully layering paint and smoothly blending brushstrokes to create a refined finish. However, with this new body of work, Guth aimed to challenge himself creatively by stepping beyond familiar techniques and exploring materials he had not previously used. This collection reflects that journey, incorporating acrylic paint, collage elements, paint pens, wood stains, and wood panels. In addition to experimenting with new materials, Guth sought to introduce more texture into the work. Rather than blending the paint to achieve a polished surface, he embraced visible brushstrokes, allowing the physicality of the materials and process to come through. This shift in approach adds expressive depth, emphasizing the tactile nature of the medium and inviting viewers to engage with the texture and layers in new ways.
Red Mountain Student Gallery: Succumbed by Grace Herzog
Succumbed by Grace Herzog, an exploration of death as a universal experience. This series reflects on the various forms of loss—be it the death of loved ones, friendships, or aspects of oneself—and the profound grief that accompanies it. Herzog draws on her personal encounters with loss, confronting death and its impact on life and love. Each stage of grief is depicted in two paintings: a self-portrait illustrating her lived experiences and a metaphorical piece that resonates with the audience. Inspired by the theme of Memento Mori, Herzog uses a vulture to symbolize death, presenting it as a tangible presence. Each stage is distinguished through unique color palettes and lighting, deepening the viewer's understanding of these emotional transitions.
