Triton Museum of Art
Exhibition Proposal
To:
Curatorial Team
Preston Metcalf, Executive Director & Senior Curator
From:
Kent Manske
kent.manske@preneo.org
650-454-4570
Date: September 6, 2021
Exhibition Concept
A solo exhibition for Bay Area artist, art educator and community arts advocate, Kent Manske. Manske’s work acts as a conceptual bridge between the natural world and the built environment. It references scientific study, the cosmos, and animal and plant biology down to the cellular level. The organisms created are highly detailed inventions arranged in organically designed, mutable environments. Large scale print installations, original prints, artist books, and new works.
High-resolution .pdf of this proposal (7 MB)
Artist’s Statement
Inquiry and introspection about the interconnectedness of things drives my need to create. Processing thoughts, ideas and observations is the nature of my studio activity. Through the creation of images, symbols and visual narratives I explore my being and belongingness. This investigation helps me access my own truths and facilitates my understanding of the world in a broader context.
I am interested in visual language development including its construction, intentionality, ambiguity, contradictions, translation and interpretation. My works function as conscious maps, providing visual routes for evolving ideas, advancing understanding and constructing meaning. Each mark metaphorically documents a thought experience, comments on an inquiry or reveals a process of thinking. Meaning evolves and diversifies over time.
Printmaking processes serve the conceptual development of my images and satisfy my passion for working with materials. I use screen printing to make one-of-a-kind prints that evolve through the loosely planned yet complex layering of ink and color. This process welcomes serendipitous results and uses unintended consequences as opportunity. I do not hesitate to hand-cut an intricate stencil, or make a photo-stencil, with plans to use it only once. Prepared stencils are sometimes employed again to evolve another work-in-progress or create a foundation layer for a new print. Completed works are realized as original prints and artist books.
CV
Resume
Image List
Weave
Nests
Specimens
Genetic Garden III
Corpus Animare
You are the Tree
Visit links for context and details
8’ high x 12’ wide
Print collage. Screen-based monoprinting, monoprinting, chine collé, handmade paper.
2020
30 x 22 inches each
Screen-based monoprints
2011 – 2018
8 feet high x 12 feet wide. Variable installation.
Print collages, screen-based monoprinting
2021
10’ high x 32’ wide x 2”
Screen-based monoprints mounted on 21” aluminum disks
2021
Artist books. 12 pages each. Screenprinting, screen-based monoprinting on handmade Nepalese lokta paper.
22 x 17 inches each (closed)
2018
You are the Tree
Paper pulp sculpture from locally sourced craft industry byproducts. Collaboration with Nanette Wylde.
7 feet diameter
2020