Glenn Holmstrom Associate Professor of Art

Glenn Holmstrom, associate professor of art, won first place in a national juried show, sponsored by the Oxford Arts Alliance in Chester County, for his mixed media works entitled “Distillations.”

The Alliance received approximately 400 submissions that included works in sculpture, ceramics, paintings and photography. Just 58 were selected for the exhibit, which runs through October 13 at 38 South Third Street in Oxford. Dr. J. Susan Isaacs, curator and professor of art history at Towson University, served as the juror for the show.

“At the core of my current artistic practice is the deconstruction of digital reproductions culled from art history,” Holmstrom explained. “During my spring 2014 sabbatical I was able to spend extended, uninterrupted time creating a body of new work.  What emerged was the Distillation series. In her gallery talk, Dr. Isaacs noted that she has curated nearly 300 national and international exhibitions during her career.  It is an honor to have my work select for first prize by her. Thanks also to the university for supporting faculty professional development by granting sabbaticals to those who qualify and apply.”

“You may initially pass by Glenn Holmstrom's four mixed media works called ‘Distillations,’” wrote John Chambless of the Chester County Press, “but spend a moment to analyze them. Small, indistinct, soft as a whisper, they have an undeniable presence despite almost not being there at all. Based on well-known artworks, they are like super enlarged bits of each work, or perhaps they are really the distilled essences.”

Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with the Pearl Earring 1665	Peter Alexander’s 7-12-12 Pink Square 2012	Robert Irwin’s Untitled 1969	Helen Pashgian's Untitled 1974