WFU’s art gallery presents satirical paintings and small-scale sculptures

From the Ted Potter Exhibit, The Opening (“If you buy THAT I’ll leave you.”) Acrylic on canvas, 2001; 72″x60″

Wake Forest University’s Charlotte and Philip Hanes Art Gallery will celebrate the opening of two exhibits, “Inside the Ropes,” by Ted Potter and “Monumental Micros,” at a reception Sept. 10 from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. A slide lecture by Potter will be held at 6 p.m. in Room 102 of Scales Fine Arts Center. The exhibit will run through Oct. 10.

“Inside the Ropes” is a critically-acclaimed exhibit featuring large-scale, expressive paintings by Potter, former director of SECCA and current director of the Anderson Gallery at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.

Drawing from his experiences in the art world, Potter’s works, such as “Picking Up the Visiting NY Art Star (“But how will I recognize him? Easy, He’ll be the one dressed in all black.”) and “The Opening (If You Buy THAT I’m Leaving You),” reveal Potter’s humorous, inside look at the museum world, where he pokes fun at everyone — artists, museum patrons, board members, collectors and more.

According to Potter, all of the characters in his paintings are friends with whom he has worked throughout his 40-year career as both an art leader and painter.

From Monumental Micros: “Mother Earth”; mixed media; Christopher Bartlett. 3.25″ x 2.5″ x 1.25″

“Monumental Micros,” displayed in the upstairs gallery, is a joint exhibition of small works by members of the Philadelphia Sculptors and Sculptors Inc. of Baltimore. More than 40 artists are featured, and most of the works are no larger than a box of safety matches.

These mini sculptures, made from materials ranging from carved marble to acrylic paint, are imaginative and diverse. They include Christopher Bartlett’s “Mother Earth,” a mixed media sculpture featuring matchsticks, and John Costanza’s “I Told You My Feet Were Killing Me,” a humorous look at the interior of a funeral parlor, complete with open casket.

The exhibits are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and 1-5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, visit the Art department or call 336-758-5585.