In conjunction with C. Grimaldis Gallery’s 43rd annual group exhibition, Summer ’20, we would like to present Form + Process, a conversation between artists Jae Ko and John Ruppert, moderated by Kristen Hileman. This talk will focus on the art of creating extensive visual vernaculars through process-based studio practices and an inspiration from natural forms.

Korean artist Jae Ko creates phenomenal sculptural objects and immersive installations from rolled paper, which evoke topography and movement. She works by laboriously unwinding, and re-spooling miles of adding machine tape and submerging it in ink and graphite powder. As it dries, the paper swells into soft, biomorphic forms saturated with delicate lines. Similarly, American artist John Ruppert’s sculptures at once preserve natural phenomena and confound material by exposing evidence of the artist’s hand in otherwise seamless reproductions of natural objects. If not for a polished edge or buffed surface, the patina on oxidized bronze or rusted iron can easily be mistaken for stone. With sustained studio practices spanning decades within the Baltimore/Washington Region, both artists produce a harmonic balance between natural order and human effort.

Please join us on Tuesday, September 15th at 6PM on Zoom for this virtual conversation. We look forward to your presence and participation!