Two-dimensional sculpture creates faux language symbols as art

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ELIZABETHTOWN, PA (01/14/2016)(readMedia)-- Helen Beekman, a sculptor and painter, considers her most recent work to be two-dimensional sculptures. Her exhibit, "Hayworks,"at Elizabethtown College, shows various panels constructed with hay, hemp, acrylic paint on canvas or Masonite.

Some are recognizable images while others explore how random linguistic symbols, overtime, through cultural consensus, become a recognizable written language.

"These particular pieces appear at first glance to be or resemble an actual language," she said, "when, in effect, they are just a ruse."

Beekman's exhibit opens at 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, with a reception in Hess Gallery of Zug Hall. The exhibit continues 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through March 11.

Beekman just returned from The American Academy in Rome where she was a visiting artist. She grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and presently resides in New York City. The artist has shown in numerous galleries and has several pieces in museums.

Beekman earned her bachelor's degree in art, focusing on sculpture, from Mills College in Oakland, California. In addition to her paintings and sculptures, Beekman collaborated with sonic composer, John Plenge, creating SYNESTHESIA, a multi-media installation of sight and sound, which was exhibited in New York City and at St. Andrew's Art Gallery in Middletown, Delaware.

Cost of the reception and exhibit is free. Contact: Amy Reynolds at 717-361-1212 or reynoldsa@etown.edu

Elizabethtown College, located in historic Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is a private coed institution offering more than four dozen liberal arts, fine and performing arts, science and engineering, business, communications and education degrees. Learn more: http://www.etown.edu/about/

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