At the core of Whitman’s presentation are four works that were previously part of a complex installation comprising paintings, tableaux and three-dimensional objects. Using herself as a model, she depicts the artist-self in multiple poses occupying a dizzying, maze-like architectural setting—a brick labyrinth of rooms, alleys and courtyards set in a winter’s landscape. Her imagery is reminiscent of the dreamlike settings for Jean Cocteau’s “La Belle et la bête” or Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland.” Her intention is to create a compound self-portrait, the permutations of her psyche and memories registered in the twisting architecture of her art. Through these multiple depictions of herself, Whitman achieves a self-portrait that is unique and outside normal pictorial conventions.
She was born and reared in San Diego and headed to HSU in 1997 to pursue her undergraduate degree. She graduated in 2003 with a double major in Studio Art and Art History. Whitman then attended the Cranbrook Academy of Art near Detroit and received her Master of Fine Arts in painting in 2006. She returned to HSU in January of this year to teach painting and drawing as a lecturer at the Art Department.
Pratt’s “Doorway to Darkness” features original illustrations from two of her stories, “The Gorgon’s Smile” and “The Cold Curse Files.” The gallery is also showing Pratt’s small sculptures depicting some of the characters that appear in her stories.
Inspired by a love of the North Coast, Japanese folklore and fantasy writers like C.S. Lewis, Pratt’s fairytale-like illustrations take the reader on a twisting tale through the doorways of a magical, spirit-inhabited world, complete with mystery and humor.
She was born in 1973 in Mountain View and reared in nearby McKinleyville. She graduated from McKinleyville High School and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from HSU in Studio Art in 1994.
A reception for the artists will be held during Arts Alive! on Saturday, September 1. Humboldt State University First Street Gallery is open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. and is located at 422 First Street, Eureka. Admission is free. Those planning group tours are encouraged to call ahead. Dial 707-826-3424 or visit the gallery’s website at www.humboldt.edu/~first