February 8, 2021
The Eide/Dalrymple Gallery at Augustana University opens “Return to the Floating World: Printmaking and Mixed Media by Johanna Mueller,” which will be on view through Saturday, March 5. A virtual gallery reception for the exhibition will take place on Friday, February 12, from 7-8 p.m., with an artist talk taking place at 7:15 p.m.
Artist Johanna Mueller creates visual narratives and myths through animal archetypes. “Return to the Floating World” is her newest body of work, created through relief engraving, collage and mixed media. Her exhibition is a response to feelings of uncertainty, change and distress seen in the world this past year. Inspired by Japanese Ukiyo-e prints (Ukiyo-e translates as "The Floating World"), Mueller’s images are semi-abstract depictions of floating worlds and their animal and bird inhabitants. Through floating and layered forms of the natural world, Mueller’s images speak not only to loss and grief, but also rebellion, hope and perseverance.
“Twenty-twenty was a year full of emotion that often left me wondering where I was and whose life I was watching unfold, much like floating outside oneself,” noted Mueller in her artist statement for the exhibition. “These artworks attempt to reconcile my own witness of the last few years, culminating in 2020.”
While her inspiration is drawn from our troubled times, her images still allow beauty and celebrate our natural world. “I have long followed the work of Johanna Mueller, and we are excited to be able to bring this exhibition to campus,” said Eide/Dalrymple Gallery Director Dr. Lindsay Twa. “Johanna is a virtuoso relief engraver. She uses all of her talent and skill to create work that is both technically complex and emotionally charged.”
Mueller is a nationally known printmaker from Colorado. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in printmaking from The Metropolitan University of Denver, and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in printmaking from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Mueller has been the recipient of the Laila Twigg Smith Artist Residency Program at the Donkey Mill Arts Center in Kona, Hawaii; the Jentel Artist Residency in Banner, Wyoming; Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts Residency in Saratoga, Wyoming; and Anderson Ranch Arts Center Residency in Snowmass, Colorado. We invite you to explore more of her work at johannamuellerprints.com.
Images:
1. Johanna Mueller, The Burn, relief engraving, India ink, collage, 2020. 28” x 22”
2. Johanna Mueller, Hanging on to Broken Paths, relief engraving, charcoal, collage, 2020. 28” x 22”
About the Eide/Dalrymple Gallery
As a part of Augustana University, the mission of the Eide/Dalrymple Gallery is to contribute to the educational and cultural vitality of the University, the surrounding community, and the state of South Dakota. The Eide/Dalrymple Gallery inspires the artists of today and tomorrow, and serves as a resource for teaching and promoting life-long learning through its permanent collection and temporary exhibition program with accompanying artist visits, gallery talks, and educational materials.
The Eide/Dalrymple Gallery is named after pioneering Augustana University art professors Palmer Eide and Ogden Dalrymple. Many of their collaborative works are spread throughout the campus.
The Eide/Dalrymple Gallery is located at 30th Street and Grange Avenue on Commons Circle, in the Center for Visual Arts at Augustana University. The Eide/Dalrymple Gallery is open and free to the public.Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. Masks and social distancing are required.