PRESS RELEASE
September 8, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Student Union Art Gallery
326 Student Union
UMass Amherst
Contact: Karla Stingerstein, Gallery Director
(413) 545-0792
Digital Diva: 25 Years of Computer Art by Ruth West
9/20/10 to 10/8/10
Reception: Thursday, 9/24, 5-7 pm
Artist Talk, Tuesday, 9/28, 4 pm
Gallery Hours: M-Th 10-5, F 10-3.
(Amherst, MA) - The Student Union Art Gallery proudly presents the digital artwork of UMass alum Ruth West.
Ruth Westis an internationally recognized artist who has been working with computer art for the last 25 years. One of the first two graduates of the University of Massachusetts with a Masters of Fine Arts degree in Computer Graphics, Ruth West's art has grown steadily along within her medium. She works with digital collage, flash interactivity, and web design. Unlike more traditional mediums such as oil paint, digital art continual undergoes technological change. Digital artwork that could not have been made one year is easily created the next. In this exhibition Ms. West explores the relationship of her art to changes in technology, which is entwined with advancements in computers, printers, and programs.
“In the early days, everything was hard to make and print. Images were fugitive and pixilated, printing the work was expensive and time consuming. Art galleries had to be convinced to see my work, and then questioned the validity of the digital print,” states the artist. “25 years later, most everyone is on the computer using high quality archival home printers, and digital cameras. Galleries are fluent in Giclee print, and many artists start with digital photos and sketches. It has been a fascinating time to be an artist.”
In conjunction with the exhibition, Ruth West will give an artist talk at the gallery on Tuesday, September 28 at 4 pm.
The Student Union Art Gallery is located in the Student Union Building in the center of the UMass Amherst campus. It is accessible via the Campus Center Garage. All events are free and open to the public.
This exhibit is made possible by the UMass Arts Council, the Student Government Association, and the Graduate Student Senate, and by an ECSA (Engage, Connect, Serve, Achieve) grant, which is funded by the Center for Student Development and the Division of Student Affairs & Campus Life.