'Peek show' something to see

by Tiffany Royal
Staff Writer

Pastels and feminine traits are bursting inside of Cube4 Gallery.

Morgan Pfaelzer, a senior painting major in the Ohio University School of Art, presented "A Peek Show," her Bachelor of Fine Arts thesis, last night on Seigfred Hall's fourth floor. The exhibit is on display through Saturday.

Consisting of simplistic and feminine paintings Pfaelzer's show reflects the thoughts and feelings of being a woman in today's society.

"It's about females growing up," Pfaelzer said. "How we mature, what we have to deal with within society and what society perceives. "

She thought of the title before she finished her artwork, which she admits might have been a bad idea.

"I was kind of concerned about the pornography industry," she said. "I was thinking about how that was related to females and how it affected people in general. I had a little more, say, racy artwork. But I really didn't want it to be too drastic. I wanted to make it cutesy in a way. But my art has changed since I choose the title.

"I think I'm in a transitional stage right now. I've dealt with that - now I'm moving on to a more feminine, female side, rather than sexual."

Seven pieces are in the show, ranging from small, almost hand-held size works, to large wall hangings.

"Windows of Womanhood" consists of eight one-foot by one-foot panels, she explained. This piece came together from a time when she was testing out possible painting techniques, such as adding different mediums and textures. Then they became a whole piece within themselves, she said.

The wedding cake in "Buttercream Illusions" has such a three-dimensional effect that one could almost dip a finger in the painting and think it is whipped cream. Lined at the bottom of the "cake" is white lace.

"Her use of material is unusual," said Christine Heindl, associate professor of painting in the School of Art. "The way she combines imagery with the material is very unique."

Heindl described the painting as almost "sculptural."

"Elongations" is a tall, vertical painting with a nude-flesh toned background. The piece has free-flowing drawings consisting of a woman and various female body parts.

"I've been doing some printmaking and etching and came up with this woman," Pfaelzer said. "I wanted to incorporate the woman in the piece ... and I used Asian ink with a Chinese brush."

"It exemplifies her personality - very feminine," said Lindy Vitatoe, an attendee and friend of Pfaelzer. "It's quiet, but speaks loudly at the same time."