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October 5 - 28, 2017
First Thursday Reception: April 5, 6 - 8pm

The Empty-Full by Michelle Ross includes new paintings that explore compositional geometries and materiality. Inspired by the 1960s writings of Lygia Clark, Ross ponders concepts of social transformation, human invention and expression, and their connections to modernist forms.

Ross’ use of materials and formal compositional investigations reflect her intellectual pursuits. Surface tensions and abstract geometric shapes energetically activate the space inside the paintings through her use of thickly layered viscous paint, traces of fabric, magazine paper, spray painted shapes, and graphite markings.

Evocative titles like We Wake Up, Slipping Slope, and Slippery Silver Linings reference the artist’s interest in activation and transformation. Ross adds unexpected interventions to the series including pops of color and textured layers of paint, which further convey the artist’s exuberant dedication to experimentation and discovery.

Ross received her BFA from Pacific Northwest College of Art (Portland, OR) and her MFA from Washington State University (Pullman, WA). Her work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions both nationally and internationally. In 2012, Ross was named a Hallie Ford Fellow in the Visual Arts. Her work is held by a number of collections including the Rhode Island School of Design Special Collections (Providence, RI), Willamette University (Salem, OR) and the Portland Art Museum (Portland, OR). In 2011 she received and participated in the Contemporary Northwest Art Awards exhibition at the Portland Art Museum.