Upper Iowa University to host '...fight IT' at Bing-Davis Memorial Gallery

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FAYETTE, IA (08/23/2017) A Chicago artist will open the 2017-18 Bing-Davis Memorial Gallery schedule on Thursday, August 31, at Upper Iowa University's (UIU) Fayette Campus. The printmaking and sculptural works of Eric Fuertes will be featured in "…fight IT" through Thursday, October 5.

"Eric has been a friend of mine for a number of years," said Laura Colby, UIU assistant professor of art. "What I appreciate most about him as an artist is that he has always been so community oriented in both his work and his teaching style. He loves to share his style, techniques and resources with students and the public. He has collaborated with many artists from across the country in all types of art making. I think the community will really enjoy the passion and enthusiasm that he shows for his work in sculpture, printing and interactive art of all kinds."

Born and raised in South Texas, Eric Fuertes completed his BFA at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. He then completed his MFA at Northern Illinois University. Fuertes currently works at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where he manages the Materials Lab.

A few years ago, Fuertes started a collective artist group dubbed "Dumbo Press." Together, the artists display and perform with interactive sculptural printing presses that Fuertes has designed and built. By reinterpreting and redesigning the innovative designs of the printing press from long ago, Fuertes has developed a myriad of interactive printing presses and techniques. Through Dumbo Press, he has created a tightly knit network of like-minded artists that are assisting in the goal of democratizing the printed image, sculpture and all aspects of fine art to the public.

"My work explores the relationship between gender politics and multimedia experiences," Fuertes said. "Ever since I was a child I have been fascinated by the traditional understanding of the moment. What starts out as triumph soon becomes finessed into a tragedy of lust, leaving only a sense of unreality and the prospect of a new understanding. As wavering derivatives become distorted through emergent and repetitive practice, the viewer is left with an epitaph for the edges of our existence."

A closing event for the Fuertes "…fight IT" exhibit will be held Thursday, October 5. Additional details will be published at a later date. Bing-Davis Memorial Gallery is located in Edgar Fine Arts Hall at Upper Iowa University's Fayette Campus. The gallery is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

About Upper Iowa University Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs to about 5,800 students-nationally and internationally-at its Fayette campus, 25 U.S. education locations, as well as locations in Malaysia and Hong Kong. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and self-paced degree programs. With a focus on developing leaders and lifelong learners, UIU provides dual enrollment programs for high school students as well as continuing education and professional development opportunities for learners of any age. For more information, visit uiu.edu.