The Contemplation Series

The Contemplation Series is a body of work that shows Nathan Opp's visual thoughts on the Book of Ecclesiastes, the possibility of buried or layered imagery alongside the artist’s search for a mode of expression beyond realism. In the wake of the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Opp found that his customary studio practice—grounded in realism—no longer conveyed the texture and uncertainty of contemporary life. In response, he turned toward a more experimental and process-driven approach.

For many years Opp has contemplated the chapters of Ecclesiastes, a text that grapples with the futility of human gains, the equalizer of mortality and finding meaning in simplicity. Its themes of seeking understanding within the disorder of daily existence resonate throughout this series. The works in this exhibit are created through processes of layering, applying, and removing materials, as well as combining diverse media and techniques that intentionally resist conventional disciplinary categories. The work expresses the instability of living and the search for reason in illogical patterns.

Free & Open to the public

5 pm - 8 pm

Masterwork Gallery: 36 N Guthrie

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