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About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (April 18, 2007)
4 Clackamas Print Feature Wednesday, April 18, 2007 Sculptor inspired by nature . Katie Wilson 11 Co-Editor-in-Chief There is no such thing as a normal journey through life. At least, that’s what visit ing artist Julie Speidel has proven. Speidel came to the campus last Thursday to give a lec ture about her work. This visit is part of the fifth Outdoor Sculpture Exposition that opened last Monday and will run through July 7. Speidel was raised in the Northwest and Europe, and studied language, in France prior to attending the Cornish Institute and the University of Washington to pursue art. She then worked as a jeweler before turning to con centrate on large sculp ture. “My art grew out of SPEIDEL jewelry-making,” she said. Her sculptures and foun tains are everywhere: in gal leries, museums, private col lections, universities and embassies. Sitting at the front of the art studio in Room 108 of the Art Center, photos of her work projected on the screen behind her, Speidel shared theories and ideas concerning art. “I hope to give you a win dow between what we see and what we create,” she said. Her work, she says, empha sizes forms and shapes found in the natural world. She says it is the “human impulse to act on nature.” She does not see herself as an avant-garde artist. She is influenced by early, tradi tional art. ' “[Art that] grounds us as human beings,”, she said, but still “keeps us in a state of awe.” As humans and artists, motion, a sense of movement,” she says, we she said. The standing human fig need a “sense of residence ure is fundamental in her art, and familiar modern totem poles for mod ern times. ity.” “We sCe the human form She finds herself con every day ... it’s endlessly tinually going portrayed [in art],” she saidj back to the “but it remains compelling.” She names her sculptures same “endur ing” forms, after various deities from many such as the different cultures. Countries cylinder, the and cultures inspire her. cone, and especially the cir Much of her work is made cle. from bronze, but she does not “The circle is a recurring, feel limited by this in any constant image,” she said. "I way. don’t mean a perfectly round “I remain most drawn to circle.” She showed pictures metal,” she said. She does of bones and stones. experiment with other medi “Circles imply a certain ums, though, such as glass and sandstone. “I am always stretched by the unique quali ties of the material.” As she closed her lecture, she thanked the audience and reminded them that: “Paying attention to what we see and experience is a great gift.” The Art Department has arranged for a lecture from another artist, Roberto Salas, to take place May 17 from 2 to 3 p.m. For more information, con tact the Art Department at (503) 657-6958, ext. 2386. LEFT: Speidel, a world- renowned artist, speaks to Art Instructor Rick True before giv ing her pre sentation. Her works have been showcased in galleries and nation al embas sies. ABOVE: Speidel’s sculpture “A Ring Around Unfolding.” Many of her works incorporate or take the form of circles. BELOW: “Tyana,” another sculpture, in fabricated bronze.I Speidel draws much inspiration from ancient cultures. I Staying quiet to make a statement ..... ; B.A. CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL STUDIES ■ MEDIA & FILM STUDIES ■ GENDER & SEXUALITY STUDIES ■ SOCIAL PHILOSOPHY ■ HISTORY YEAR-ROUND ADMISSION z ■ Small seminar-style classes ■ Custom degree option ■ Scholarships for adults To meet with an advisor, call 503.699.6268 or e-mail studentinfo@marylhurst.edu. ' ★ US News & World Report BEST COLLEGES 2007 "Number one in the Northwest for small dasses" MARYLHURST UNIVERSITY JUST 10 MINUTES SOUTH OF PORTLAND Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities accredited 17600 PACIFIC HIGHWAY (HWY. 43) MARYLHURST, OREGON Serving students since 1893. www.marylhurst.edu æ - 800.634.99^2 '» fc - nearly 100 colleges nation- didn’t have a GSA; we wer . wide, and an adaptation of the too afraid to start one. fl program was implemented in “I’m very glad I’m here. Australia. I’m very glad for the GSA1 It’ In a world of soundbites “It is absolutely impor made me who I am today.”! and Howard Dean screams, tant,” said Ted Johnson, the The members of thi saying nothing, can make an “unofficial president” of the Clackamas GSA will bi ( exceptionally loud statement. Gay-Straight Alliance here participating in the Day o Í That’s the goal of the at Clackamas. “It symbol Silence, and all other student ( National Day of Silence. Held izes how queer students feel are encouraged to join infl r every April 18, the Day of silenced in our society.” “It’s not just a ‘gay’ thing, t Silence is less of a protest than Johnson can understand said Johnson. “Anyone cai it is a show of solidarity with that feeling. “My high school participate.” the gay, lesbian, bisexual and was very conservative. We The specific goal on thi transgendered (or Day of Silence is ti LGBT) commu help bring about a nity. Participants end to harassmei do not speak, and of LGBT youth often do not write, However, it als| type or communicate serves as a platform t in any other way, to raise awareness abot symbolize the silence the homosexual, bisexua endured every day by and transgendered mem LGBT youth. bers of our communitfl The Day of Silence Johnson himself hope started at the University for greater understand of Virginia in 1996. ing. “Some people At just over 150 they just don’ ’ .participants, the think of it a day was consid real /ovejani. ered a success by that botner! ° its organizers. The next me. year, with a Web site and More information, plul S word “national” tacked onto additional resources, can b< c its name, the National Day found at www.dayofsilence of Silence was picked up by org. Laura Cameron Feature Editor with focus study areas in: ■ Flexible scheduling 11
