Dual display: USCA features two artists

Two artists decorate the walls of the USC Aiken Etherredge Center Art Gallery with vision and purpose. Each of the artist's personalities are reflected in their works. The show opened earlier this month and will continue to be on display until Nov. 28. For more information, contact the Etherredge Center, call 648-6851 or visit online at www.usca.edu/ec. USC Aiken is located at 471 University Parkway.

Rebecca Primm - Lower Level

Rebecca Primm's mixed medium artwork makes a strong statement about the evolving roles of women. Her work focuses on three different stages demonstrating the progression of women through the years. Her first section is dedicated to the traditional roles of women, the second investigates current societal issues and the third is dedicated to her personal journey and the women who molded her into the person she is today.

"Growing up in a culture that sends mixed messages to women and the roles that they are to play in society, I have been intrigued by the ever-changing stereotypes and the effect of modern culture on the roles of women," said Primm. "In this current body of work, I strive to focus on those 'stereotypes' to cause the viewer to stop and think about where women have come from, where we are now and where we are going."

Primm's work incorporates quilting techniques passed on from her grandmothers, vintage advertisements and iconic images. Quilting is a significant part of her show.

"Quilting is a large part of my history. My grandmothers interested me in sewing quilts from the beginning, giving quilting supplies as gifts in my teen years. In this show, four generations of quilts are represented ranging from blocks hand pieced by my great grandmother to my own machine-pieced blocks," said Primm.

Quinn Kent Peterson - Upper Level

A Clemson graduate, Quinn Kent Peterson presents vivid colors that dance off the canvas as he tries to "describe one object, one moment, one feeling, one idea." His work is a journey of exploration in which he as the artist loses himself and lets go of inhibitions. Peterson creates utilizing a variety of mediums from acrylic to pastels and charcoal.

"My art is a place to search," said Peterson. "I work on several paintings at a time with each painting at a different stage of completion. There are blank canvas' for me to put down random marks, to just let go, have fun and get into the state of mind I am looking for; to be comfortable enough to not be wary of putting down marks, to have an observant eye that recognizes what I feel needs to be worked on and to be aware of the relationships between the smallest details to the largest of shapes."

Peterson's views of artistry as a time to release and enjoy are reflected in his works. His artwork is a method of releasing information from within. "It is like peeling away the layers of an onion, I am working towards what I feel to be my accurate organized description," he said.