January 23, 2014

 

Contacts:

MSUB Art Department, 657-2324 
Carmen Price, University Relations, 657-2269

 

Free opening reception set for Jan. 30 in the Student Gallery, 5-7 p.m. 

 

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — Laura Walker, a senior art student at Montana State University Billings, will exhibit a body of work made entirely from trash.

 

this art is TRASH art piece

The show— “this art is TRASH”— will be on display in the Student Gallery on the main floor of the Liberal Arts Building beginning Jan. 26 with an opening reception on Jan. 30.

 

The reception is free and open to the public and will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. featuring refreshments and live music by local musician Jessica Garibay.

 

Walker gives objects a second-chance through her fabrication of steel. Through herprocess, she draws out the rusty and raw characteristics of the materials, hoping that the viewer can perceive the functionality of the trashed items in a new light. Walker draws inspiration from the pop-art movement including sculptors such as Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons and Duane Hanson.

 

A Billings native, Walker will graduate from MSU Billings with a bachelor’s degree in art education in May. She was chosen to participate in the MSUB’s Juried Student Exhibition in 2012, where she received third place for her sculpture titled Squeezed. Walker went on to participate in the 2013 exhibition and is presently on the academic honor roll.

 

Walker said her passion toward education and hard work is derived from her father, an educator for more than 30 years, and her mother, an independent business woman.

 

The Student Gallery is open during regular semester hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walker’s exhibit will be on display through Feb. 8. For more information, contact the art department at 657-2324.