Paper art, calligraphy on display at Wandering Turtle for solstice exhibit

Both craft work with cut paper and Chinese calligraphy are on display from now until Dec. 29 at the Wandering Turtle Art Gallery downtown.

With displays by Deborah Klein and Donna Eder, the gallery’s annual solstice exhibit recognizes “the long winter night” season and awaits the “rebirth” season, which is spring, said Rachel DiGregorio, the gallery’s assistant manager.

Art with titles like “Letting Go,” by Eder recognize the change of seasons.

“Inspiration for Winter Walk” is the title of one of the paper cuttings that hangs on display by Klein. Typically, this artist embosses paper cuttings consisting of all white paper forms laid on a contrasting background.

Klein said the lack of color in her dimensional work separates her art from other paper cuttings that have been seen in the area. In addition, she said her art is “not cartoony,” as it is firmly based on drawings and is clean, unlike some work she has seen.

Klein has made tiny folds and dozens of pin-sized holes into dimensional illustrations of nature. Water, trees, birds, caterpillars, butterflies and people all appear to have depth as they are framed in shadow boxes on the gallery’s back wall.

Klein’s work is simplistic, however, intricate as she pays attention to detail, DiGregorio said.

As a brushwork artist and calligraphist, her style is somewhat of a variation and she utilizes colors, DiGregorio said.

“It is customary for a Chinese calligraphist to focus on one illustration throughout their career,” she said.

However, Eder focuses on several images. Brushwork of bamboo and wisteria, along with calligraphy, are among some of the illustrations Eder paints.

Eder said she learned the craft of Chinese calligraphy and brushwork more than 20 years ago from Chinese artist Zhiyuan Cong, who, at the time, was pursuing a graduate degree at IU.

“If it had not been for him, I probably would not be doing Chinese art,” Eder said.

Eder, also an IU professor of sociology, said brushwork painting is a form of meditation for her. In China it is common for professionals to practice a craft other than their profession, she said.

“Brushwork and Tai Chi are both artistic forms of expression and meditation I practice,” Eder said.

Eder said she meditates everyday and the craft of brushwork painting gives her “great balance in my life.”

Art by Klein and Eder hang next to one another in the gallery.

Their work complements each other, they are two artists who are very detailed and yet easy to absorb, DiGregorio said.

“We have some amazing artists in Bloomington, to be such a small community,” she said.