FIND BEAUTY, HORROR IN HUMAN NATURE

EXTERIOR NATURE OF EMOTIONS: Nicole Virtue will include paintings that discuss the exterior nature of emotions and the colors associated with those emotions. ().

LA GRANDE - Eastern Oregon University's Nightingale Gallery presents "Inside Out," a capstone exhibition featuring the work of graduating seniors Ryan Dornfeld, Erin Gilkison, David Mitchell and Nicole Virtue.

The show includes photography, mixed media, painting, drawing, and installation. An opening reception for the artists will be Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. The exhibit runs through May 25.

As a student of design, photography, painting, printmaking, and life, Dornfeld examines and breaks down social structures and spiritual evolution, finding the beauty and horror in human nature. His conceptual art is outwardly lighthearted and at further inspection contains a depth of serious inquiry and commentary. In this exhibition, he discusses what individuals and societies choose to display on their exteriors juxtaposed against their deeply private interiors.

Mitchell came to EOU from Blue Mountain Community College seeking a degree in Fine Arts. His strength was in drawing and watercolor. His flat, simplified style and narrative quality are still present in his work, though he now embraces a variety of traditional media.

Mitchell's expressive subjects are most often female and ironic in nature. The viewer may at first mistake his work for a whimsical illustration, but on closer scrutiny the satirical quality shines through.

He uses bold colors to tap into strong emotions and push against those feelings. Foremost in his work is the harsh transition between childhood and adulthood.

Works by Gilkison consist of a series of paintings, which focus on interior space as it relates to her own personal experiences and self-image. These images make the viewer re-evaluate the idea of home, place, and the emotions that go with them. In off set to the paintings is a conglomeration of drawings which discuss the importance of material possessions in our lives for filling space.

Living in several places and attending three colleges led Gilkison to discuss these concepts through her art by the use of painting, drawing, and printmaking.

Virtue has been an art student at EOU for the past three years. She has delved into many art mediums, finding sculpture, photography, and painting to be her real love.

In this exhibition, Virtue will include paintings that discuss the exterior nature of emotions and the colors associated with those emotions.

She will also have an installation that looks at how she deals with a shy and non-confrontational nature through the use of space and text.

The Nightingale Gallery is in Loso Hall, at the corner of Sixth and K Avenue. Hours are Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For information about the exhibition, contact the gallery at 541-962-3667 or online at .