Shape-Shifter: Drawing from Observation

The Space Between

Trevor Bennett, Walter Early, Mayuko Ono Gray, Shelby Shadwell

The exhibition "Shape-shifter: Drawing from Observation" features four artists who turn the common notion of observational drawing as "drawing what you see" on its head. The artists all observe reality intently, as can be seen in their drawings while shifting through very personal and imaginative imagery. Traditional drawing techniques are used masterfully to craft pictures that make reality seem uncommon, if only for a moment.

Please join us for the opening reception of our new exhibition Shape-Shifter: Drawing from observation on Friday, September 28, 6:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. with remarks by artists & the curator, 6:30 p.m. The exhibition reception will be held in the Beatrice M. Haggerty Gallery in the Art History Building at the University of Dallas and continues through November 4th, 2018

Oversized shiny black knick-knack’s by Trevor Bennett have a degree of exactness, that like Shelby Shadwell’s large drawings of cockroaches and diapers, are incongruous to their distorted gargantuan scale. Walter Early’s small line-drawings depict common outdoor objects being taken over and reformed by overgrown plants and other natural forms. And indoors, Mayuko Ono Gray inserts calligraphy rendered as an unruly 3D object into domestic scenes where the script wraps around and envelopes people, animals and objects.

Image credit:

Trevor Bennett, Mr. Perfect, 2015, charcoal on paper | Walter Early, Rock on pallet, 2016, micron on BFK Rives | Mayuko Ono Gray, 灯台下暗しThe ground around a lighthouse is always dark, 2017, graphite on paper | Shelby Shadwell, COMEDIE 3, 2015, charcoal and conte on prepared linen

Gallery Hours

Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Saturday - Sunday noon to 5:00 p.m.

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