New Art Exhibit Opens at KSU

The Kennesaw State University Art Museum presents “Not What it Seems,” an exhibition featuring the work of Mark Franchino, Frances Trombly and Ian Weaver. The exhibition will run from Aug. 20-Oct. 25 in the Fine Arts Gallery in the Joe Mack Wilson Building. There will be an opening reception, part of the Fall Grand Opening Reception, on Aug. 30 from 5-9 p.m.

The exhibition, intended to encourage audiences to examine art with their mind and not just their eyes, will feature unexpected materials with varying degrees of illusionism. In the exhibition, the artists’ tackle complex artistic, personal and metaphysical puzzles that range from what we take for granted in material culture to the relationship between object and subject. 

“I think seeing the ways the different artists' work interacts will be fascinating," said Joe Thomas, director of the KSU School of Art and Design and curator of the exhibition. "They've never been shown together before. Getting a detailed look at the superb craftsmanship and technical skill required to make these objects will also be impressive.” 

One commonality among all the artists is an intense dedication to labor, both the physical labor necessary to create highly crafted works and the concepts of labor itself, economically and philosophically. Many of the subjects depicted in the works are ordinary and visitors are encouraged to interact with the works in a new and different way.

“The audience should come away thinking differently about the role of illusionism in art,” Thomas said. “I think the kind of work in this show has not been seen a lot in the Atlanta area, so it could be eye-opening (and mind-expanding) for people.”

The Fine Arts Gallery in the Wilson Building is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. The exhibition is free and open to the public.