Des Plaines (Jan.29, 2024) —The Oakton College Koehnline Museum of Art is delighted to announce its upcoming exhibition, "In Focus: Recent Works by Moritz Kellerman, Mark Palmeri and Lou Pierozzi," Feb. 8 - March 22. The showcase will feature the diverse and captivating artistic expressions of three full-time tenured faculty members from Oakton’s Department of Art and Design.
Moritz Kellerman: Exploring Intangibles and the Language of Color
Moritz Kellerman, professor of Art, has exhibited at various college campuses, museums and galleries in solo and group shows. His works are included in numerous public and private collections nationwide. At Oakton, he has taught Studio Art and Art History for 25 years.
Kellerman's art invites viewers into a realm of intangibles and challenges the understanding of what meets the eye. His paintings are a complex interplay of color, layered over time using the glazing process—a direct connection to the Renaissance Old Masters. Kellerman's work delves into the depths of human experience, inviting contemplative observation and questioning of surface appearances. The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to explore the richness and complexity of colors in Kellerman's creations.
Mark Palmeri: Bridging Time and Skepticism
Mark Palmeri, professor of Art, is a Des Plaines native, Maine West High School graduate and former Oakton College student. Palmeri joined Oakton over 30 years ago and teaches Drawing, Painting, and 3-D Sculpture. His work has been shown locally, including at the Carl Hammer, Robbin Lockett, and Esther Sacks galleries in Chicago and nationally, including at Saint Louis University.
Palmeri's innovative approach to art takes viewers on a temporal journey. Palmeri challenges traditional notions of time and artistic evolution, claiming that some of his most "recent" paintings were done in the future (2018-2044). He brings a fresh perspective to art education, capturing time fluxes and immortalizing them through his steadfast dedication to colorful, tactile, soulful creations. Palmeri maintains his resilience despite the inevitable ravages of time, the withering onslaught of grim technological tedium and the challenges of contemporary visual overload, urging viewers to invest time in tangible visual space.
Lou Pierozzi: Three Decades of Artistic Evolution
Lou Pierozzi is the chair of Art and Design and professor of Art at Oakton, where he has taught since 2001. His artworks have garnered recognition in numerous publications such as Ceramics Monthly, Ceramics Art and Perception, Clay Times, and Clay Art China. His pieces have been exhibited in prestigious galleries and museums across the country, including The American Museum of Ceramic Art in Pomona, Calif.; Lancaster Museum of Art in Lancaster, Pa.; Sherryl Terrell Gallery in Cincinnati; Meridian Museum of Art in Meridian, Miss.; and the Hyart Gallery in Madison.
Pierozzi presents a retrospective of his three-decade-long artistic journey. Using the potter’s wheel, Pierozzi's Metal Series, Aqua Series and Mingei Series showcase his versatility and artistic evolution. His creations draw inspiration from childhood memories, travels and cultural movements, offering a glimpse into the emotional and imaginative depth of his work. The exhibition also features Pierozzi's monumental masterpiece, the 15-foot figurative sculpture “The Eternal Guardian,” addressing social and political unrest during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Exhibition Details
Public Reception: Feb. 8, 5 - 8 p.m.
Viewing Dates: Feb. 8 - March 22
Location: Oakton College Koehnline Museum of Art, 1600 E Golf Road, Des Plaines
Hours: Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
For more information about exhibits at the Museum, please visit their webpage.