International arts center

Carl Gombert_Radiant Geometry

February 21 - April 16, 2020  
Reception April 16, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

"I love pattern; I love decoration, and I love sparkle. These hand stamped works rely on radial structure to explore complexity and pattern arising from the application of simple rules. They explore rotation and repetition as formal strategies and the patterns that emerge from the process. Taking the form of mandalas, they attempt to balance opposites, relying equally on dark and light and on positive and negative shapes. Although they appear highly planned, the works result from a largely improvisational approach. Combinations of images are not generally selected beforehand; rather the images begin in the center ad evolve intuitively as they grow larger. In the little world, there is symmetry and balance and order, but neither rhyme nor reason. "  –Carl Gombert

Carl Gombert was born in Brimfield, Ohio in 1959. He started taking painting lessons at the age of 14 with money he earned delivering newspapers. He completed a BFA in Drawing from the University of Akron and an MFA in Painting from Kent State University. He worked as a stagehand before earning a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Fine Arts at Texas Tech University. He has exhibited in more than 250 exhibitions across the US and abroad. His work is in numerous museum, collegiate and private collections. Since 1993 has taught painting, drawing, and art history at Maryville College in Tennessee.