Artist Gregory T. Wilkins • Now through Thursday, October 31, 2019

Gregory T. Wilkins, a mixed media artist from Mankato, Minnesota, is exhibiting Here. Present. Now! at Gallery 120 on the campus of Inver Hills Community College. Wilkins has traveled more than one third of the Earth working with indigenous people. He embraces chaos and brings resolution to the way he interprets truth, encouraging viewers an opportunity to explore existence, and provide an understanding of where we fit in the larger realm of being. The exhibit runs through Thursday, October 31, 2019.

Here. Present. Now!

Artist: Gregory T. Wilkins

Now through Thursday, October 31, 2019

Gallery 120

Fine Arts Building
Inver Hills Community College
2500 80th Street East
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
General: 651-450-3000
Gallery: 651-450-3101

Gregory T. Wilkins

Bio

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Greg Wilkins moved when he was 9 years old from the urban center to a small town—Eustis, Florida. Raised in a multi-ethnic, multinational family, Wilkins was faced with adversity that shaped his development, social activism and education. Attending Warren Wilson College as an undergraduate, he minored in art and was introduced to outsider artists—Mose Tolliver, Howard Finster, Minnie Evans, et al.

Upon graduation, Wilkins accepted a position at the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, furthering his art interest with the Herbert Waide Hemphill Collection. His experience at American Art advanced his love of 20th century painting and photography—namely Edward Hopper, Thomas Hart Benton, Joseph Stella, Robert Rauschenburg, William de Kooning, Stuart Davis, Jacob Lawrence, Aaron Siskind, Edward Muybridge, Irving Penn, et al.

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Artist statement

My art has the act of sewing stitched through my work. Historically, sewing has been labeled as “women’s work.” As a man, I encourage the viewer to question privilege, what is “valued” work and how does it fit in a global context? Working with familiar materials, I strive to make art that inspires critical thinking and encourages inward reflection. I am committed to using my art as a platform for participants to consider how behavior impacts societal norms and the environment.

Through reconstruction, imagination and collage, I reinterpret my creative process by building layers of paint, embroidery thread, graphite, ink, et al. I take a photograph, image or idea and divorce it from the whole.

The enhanced elements transform into something new, a revelation of the original. I encourage the viewer to reflect on societal issues—poverty, justice, the environment, etc.

Learn more about Gregory T. Wilkins by reading:

Gregory Todd Wilkins on MN Artists

“Gregory Wilkins: Finding purpose through embroidered collage” on TextileArtist.org

“Wilkins a Renaissance man who landed in Mankato” on The Free Press

Here. Present. Now! gallery

Learn more about Here. Present. Now! and Gregory T. Wilkins at Gallery 120 by contacting:

Jay Jensen
Ceramics Faculty
Gallery Curator and Coordinator
651-450-3485