WINONA, Minn. — Works of three artists, all using different mediums, have been hung at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum for exhibit into January. Curator Jon Swanson said the works explore the human relationship with the underwater world and the human desire to understand it. The collections:
Kristian Brevik: “Beeswax Ghost Salmom,” 2023. Cloth, cornstarch, beeswax, dye and linseed oil. Through January 21.
Brevik, of Burlington, Vermont, creates illuminated sculptural lanterns representing the breadth of biodiversity in the living world. When lit, they reveal skeletons, colors and patterns of the creatures they represent, casting a warm glow that draws the viewer in. Brevik’s work confronts human relationships with other species, including harm caused to marine life. His goal is for people to contemplate issues without being overwhelmed by despair. Art can foster a sense of deep human connectedness with the nonhuman kin that share the world.
Kimble A. Bromley: “Weapons of Mass Destruction”, 2011. Oil on canvas, 50 x 42 inches. Through January 7.
Bromley, who teaches painting, drawing and art history at North Dakota State University in Fargo, shows 23 expressive paintings inspired by the true 19th century account of a large whale attacking the whaling ship Essex and Herman Melville’s 1851 novel “Moby-Dick” “These paintings develop human experiences that everyone relates relate to in some way,” Bromley says. His abstract paintings explore themes such as alienation, unpredictability, and the nature of existence.
Dwight Hwang: “Color Gyotaku of Octopus,” 2023. Gyotaku acrylic print on Japanese washi paper. Through January 7.
Hwang, a Korean-American whose work is mostly from Japan and California, makes prints from real fish for stunningly lifelike images. He also incorporates other organic forms — plants, birds, and even people. He captures the simplicity and fleeting moments to emphasize the beauty of imperfect subjects. His work has been exhibited at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles,