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The 45th Annual Greater Michigan Art Exhibition, Oct 1 - Dec 31; Midland

The Alden B. Dow Museum of Science & Art will present the artworks of Deborah Rockman, Oct. 1-Dec. 31 in Drawn from Life: Works by Deborah Rockman. Rockmanís admirable drawing technique and recent forays into the technology of digitally generated images, experimental image surfaces and special effects resonate her artistic achievements through the years. Rockman was the winner of the Solo Exhibition Award at the 2004 Greater Michigan Art Exhibition, resulting in this show, which runs concurrently with the 2005 Greater Michigan Art Exhibition. She has been included in the Greater Michigan Exhibitions nine times and was awarded for innovation and technique in seven of those competitions. Exploring themes that are sometimes riveting and often controversial, her art mirrors aspects of society many artists lack the courage to depict. Recently her imagery addresses the pain of parental neglect or abuse that affects so many wounded children in our world. Overall her work interprets a range of social injustices, double meanings, double standards and juxtapositions that illustrate the sometimes painful ironies of humanity. ìMy response, through the process of drawing, is to enact what is lacking in the lives of so many wounded children ñ a soft and delicate touch, patience in encouraging a face to reveal itself, a gentle coaxing of form into being. It is a symbolic act of nurturing, breathing a kind of life and beauty into blind and mute faces,î Rockman says of her series titled ìLosing Sleep.î Rockman holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Cincinnati and Bachelor of Fine Arts from Western Michigan University. She is Professor of Art at Kendall College of Art and Design. Her works have been exhibited at institutions such as South Bend Museum of Ar;, Grand Rapids Art Museum; Rockford Art Museum; Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center; Ontario College of Art and Design; and ARC Gallery, Chicago. She has been recognized with awards and honors at many of these exhibitions as well as with fellowships and residencies from institutions across the country.

Visit the Alden B. Dow Museum of Science & Art web site

Posted/updated Oct 28, 2005
by William Stevens (Absolute Michigan Lifestyles Editor)