The Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art presents Dannielle Tegeder’s first solo museum exhibition, “Dannielle Tegeder: Painting in the Extended Field.” Tegeder is an abstract painter from New York City, and draws her inspiration from urban systems, architecture, data, infrastructure and geography.
Tegeder comes from a family of steamfitters, and says that she learned her style of drawing from her family. She therefore attempts to make visible the massive hidden systems and architecture in her work. Tegeder challenges traditional boundaries by moving between different mediums and employing new technology, and her innovative approach has distinguished her as a significant artist.
The show includes elements of Tegeder’s work from the past five years, including a 70-foot wall drawing that was created with the help of student volunteers from Hamilton College and the Pratt School of Art at Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute.
The community investment is further extended via Golden Artist Colors’ generous contribution of the acrylic paint necessary for the huge wall mural. Golden, the largest U.S. manufacturer of acrylic paints for artists, is located in New Berlin, N.Y.
Students assisted with drafting, filling out paint, and masking. Tegeder says that she really enjoyed having the students participate, and having them drop in and out “was almost like a play or a performance.” Tegeder said that Kate Bickmore ’15, in particular, served as a crucial conduit for connecting her with the student body. Bickmore spent the past semester interning with Tegeder in New York City.
“Installing the show at the Wellin was a very different experience than working in the studio,” said Bickmore. “It’s been great to see all the projects come together in the space. I loved working collaboratively with both Hamilton and Pratt students on the wall drawing. I think for students to come and help out on the wall drawing was a beautiful testament to how art -- and the Wellin in particular -- can bring the student body together regardless of their major or concentration, as well as show how involved our student body is with the greater community,” Bickmore remarked.
In addition to the 82-foot wall drawing, other elements of the exhibition include a collection of small sculptures on pedestals that creates the illusion of a tiny city, which is a remake of one of Tegeder’s pieces from 2004. There are also various traditional paintings and drawings, experimental architectural models, a large “raw” drawing, and a 12-foot stained glass mobile. Tegeder describes one of her paintings an “ephemeral piece” because it repeatedly gets painted over, and we need to “embrace that it lasts only for a certain amount of time, like music,” she says.
There are also several conceptual projects, including artist books and photography, and finally a “library of abstract sound.” Tegeder explains that this collection of drawings function as music scores, and are physically played by translating the drawings into music by a sound engineer.
Tegeder says that she has enjoyed her experience working with Hamilton students at Wellin, and is excited to present her largest wall drawing to date. The exhibition will be open from May 11 through July 28, 2013.
- Danielle Tegeder at the Wellin Museum - Mohawk Valley Living - 5/3/13
(Episode #389 - start at 4:00) - Unique Art Collaboration Between Students & Artists at Wellin Museum - WUTR 5/6/13
- Years of planning and prep lead to latest exhibit at Wellin Museum - WKTV 5/6/13
- "Wall of Art" Megan Austin and Kate Bickmore appearance on WSYR TV Bridge Street 5/8/13
