Not Exactly There

Emily Quatman

10/3/11

Not Exactly There

Elements of abstract color, geometrical shapes, and eye-catching designs are depicted in Michael Willie’s exhibit, Not Exactly There. The art gallery, located in Meek Hall at The University of Mississippi, is currently filled with a total of 32 of Willie’s works of art.

This particular exhibit is somewhat different from what Willie is typically known for exhibiting to the public. For this exhibit, however, Willie chose a location that he was somewhat familiar with, such as South Africa, Rome, or Cleveland, to use as inspiration for how his paintings were presented.

These paintings depict the architecture and landscapes from those locations, which Willie painted in a very abstract, metaphysical way. Willie’s hope for the viewers of this exhibit is that they feel that they are in a new environment.

Viewers of the Not Exactly There exhibit are not supposed to recognize any features or characteristics of a city or location that Willie chose to depict in these paintings, but rather study it and experience it for their own interpretation of the art work.

In this exhibit, Willie wanted his viewers to see his paintings in a non-objective way and free themselves of any prior judgments of how a location should be exposed and displayed on a canvas.

Aside from hosting art exhibits throughout the country, Willie is an Associate Professor of Art at Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Willie also holds the title of Associate Director of the School of Art, where he teaches a wide variety of painting and drawing courses.

Willie received his MFA degree in painting from Bowling Green State University and his BFA from Millikin University. Willie has been included in countless solo and group exhibits throughout the country, as well as in galleries in Japan and South Africa.

Willie’s works of art have also been featured five times in the Midwest edition of New American Paintings, most recently seen in the 2010 edition.

The Not Exactly There exhibit came to The University of Mississippi Department of Art as a way for art students, and students of various areas of study, to broaden their horizons in the art world and become more aware of the use of abstract art presented on canvas.

This exhibit also gives art students a glimpse into the use of acrylics, graphite, plaster, and plaster dust, which are utilized in many of Willie’s paintings.

The exhibit contains three paintings in the front room of the art gallery and 29 paintings in the main room. Each painting is displayed on square canvases and exhibits a large variety of colors.

Senior Secretary of the Art Office, Dustin Harris said, “The exhibit was commissioned and coordinated by Durant Thompson and Philip Jackson (assistant professors). It has been on display since Sept. 5^th and will run until Oct. 6^th, which is when a reception for the exhibit will be held.”