The ETSU Department of Art & Design and Slocumb Galleries in partnership with the Urban Redevelopment Alliance (URA) present “Partial Ear Of A Marble Statue” installation work by Andrew Scott Ross at the Tipton Gallery from October 31 to November 9, 2012.  The reception is scheduled on November 2, First Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Tipton Gallery. Ross will also present a lecture about his work on November 5, Monday at 5:15 p.m. at the Ernest C. Ball Hall Auditorium.

The exhibition “Partial Ear Of A Marble Statue” features new installation work by Ross that explores “the aesthetics of cultural and scientific institutions intermingle with materials that are both common and ironic.”  Some of the sculptural installations may be reminiscent of classical museum icons but very distinct as Ross creates his own visual constructions that intersect “biological and archaeological themes with personal and primitive mythology”. He stated, “my art practice explores the elusive framework of cultural beliefs, and our often-peculiar relationship with the natural world.”

Ross is an Assistant Professor and Foundations Art Coordinator at the Department of Art & Design at East Tennessee State University. He received his MFA in Sculpture at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and BFA in Painting and Drawing from the Atlanta College of Art. He also received academic training from the Skowhegan School of Painting and Drawing. His work “Rocks and Rocks and Rocks” is currently on display at “Contemporary Focus” exhibition at the Knoxville Museum of Art.

The Tipton Gallery is located at 126 Spring Street, Downtown, Johnson City. All events are open to the public free of charge. The Tipton Gallery is  open to the public for viewing on Wednesdays from 4 to 6 p.m., Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m., or by appointment;  with extended hours during receptions, First Fridays and scheduled tours. For more information, contact SG Director Karlota Contreras-Koterbay at contrera@etsu.edu or call 423.483.3179. You may also visit www.etsu.edu/cas/art/slocumb or the ETSU PlanIt Calendar under Museum & Galleries or Visual Arts categories.