Works by Contemporary New York Artists on Display in Martin Museum

A joint exhibition by contemporary New York artists Mary Temple and Carson Fox is on display at Baylor University's Martin Museum of Art through March 4.
The exhibit will feature Temple's Continuum, a selection from her drawing series 1,000,000 Ellipsoids. The series is comprised of a single ellipse-like shape that is counted and repeated one million times. Each of the drawings contains from 1,000 to 5,000 ellipsoids rendered in monochromatic ink. The entire series of 400 drawings took the artist two years to complete. She likens her project to a marathon, in which a single step seems inconsequential, yet repeated for a distance of 26 miles becomes a feat of endurance.
"The fact that difficult achievements are accomplished 'one step at a time' is tremendously empowering, and I consider this series a meditation on the philosophy behind the many axioms that encourage us to continue on," she said.
Temple received her master's degree in painting and drawing from Arizona State University and pursued post-graduate study at Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Maine. Since 1995, her work has been widely exhibited in more than 40 museums and galleries.
The filigree wire sculpture of Fox is inspired by Victorian hair sculpture and jewelry. His large, yet delicate, wire weavings contain messages that reference longings and losses. The stark text is personal, and yet is also universal.
"Historically, these objects were crafted out of the hair of a deceased loved one and acted as a memento of the departed," she said. "The sudden deaths of both of my parents in late 2001 encouraged me to consider these objects more thoughtfully and interpret them in a contemporary vein. I ask the viewer to bear witness to my narrative while calling on them to take note of what we have in common."
Fox's work is included in many public and private collections, including the Museum of Arts and Design, Royal Museum of Belgium and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Museum. She currently teaches printmaking and artist books at New York University.
The Martin Museum of Art is located in the Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center on the Baylor campus. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The museum is closed during university holidays.
For more information call (254) 710-1867 or visit the museum website at www.baylor.edu/martinmuseum.