It's Not Hellfire 

Jessica C. White

January 2 - 30, 2010

Twist Art Gallery

Jessica relocated to Asheville, NC after graduating in the spring of 2009 from the University of Iowa with an MFA in printmaking and a Graduate Certificate in Book Studies. There, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, she established Heroes & Criminals Press, a fine press following in the tradition of artisans in the crafts of printing and bookbinding, but with the driving principle that "small animals make first paths" -- ordinary people can make a big impact on the world through simple, everyday actions. Through the press, her goal is to create her own work as well as to act as a vehicle for emerging writers. Along with printing and binding, she continue to explore ideas through painting and drawing.

Artist's Statement:
Similar to the way animals were used in folktales and ancient mythologies to explain the mysterious world of the past, I create images with animals that attempt to make sense of uncertainties in
our world today. Children’s book images, medieval bestiaries, and folk tales inspire my investigations both visually and textually. Much of my exploration revolves around good versus evil, right and wrong, justice, and wonder.

Artist Books by Elizabeth Munger

As a native Iowan, Elizabeth Munger has been making art as early as she can remember. She received her B.F.A in printmaking from the University of Iowa in 2000 and in 2009 her graduate certificate at
University of Iowa’s Center for the Book. She spends most of her days in the studio working on various projects including printing artist books, making paper, and conjuring up numerous new art projects. At
home she can be seen working with textiles as well as combining different materials and mediums to create small collages, but most often she can be found running amuck with her dog, Mr. Pants.

Artist's Statement:
Creating art work is a way to communicate my day to day life, and to reflect on wider themes that overlap my personal experiences with the world around me. My work tends to be autobiographical and
narrative often exploring current life experiences. Various materials and techniques, such as collage, drawing, and print making to reach out visually in hopes of making a connection to a shared human
experience in a language that feels like home. Fabrics, sewing patterns and needle and thread, convey my thoughts and feelings as I piece together my ideas. Textile work is beginning to show up in my prints
and collages fusing together my other interests with my academic/professional environment. This stitching together of worlds is becoming vastly important as I recognize who I am and how I’ve grown as an artist. Choosing recognizable images that include animals, I begin to relate to this image and repeat it in different environments. Exploring the adage of a wolf in sheep's clothing, or the sheep in wolfs clothing, has given light to who I am and who we are as a humans. Drawing on this archetype as part of a repertoire of self portraits, I search for what is there or not there, and an attempt to uncover what is lurking underneath.

Wrench Rupture Suture

Matt Christy

January 2 - 30, 2010

In Twist Etc.

Matt Christy is a writer and an artist from Nashville. He graduated from Watkins College with a BFA in Fine Arts. He has written criticism for Number: an art's journal. Matt might someday pursue a Master's
degree in art criticism and critical theory.