Owensboro Community & Technical College is presenting an exhibition by Adjunct Art Instructor John H. Schartung, an Owensboro native. ART is POWER features mixed media, collage-based paintings by Schartung. The artwork analyzes his personal history affected by social and political issues in Kentucky.
“Emotions and memories from my life inspire my work,” Schartung said. “I communicate life experiences through various mediums and allow viewers to see evidence of the creative process.”
When asked about his influences behind this exhibition and other works of art,
Schartung said he was influenced by the work of abstract expressionists, and his process of creating art “is like that of a jazz musician – an improvisational response to rhythmic patterns.”
“I react intuitively based on my knowledge of color, balance, and harmony,” Schartung said. “Even though it may be difficult to find that balance and harmony in many of life’s experiences, the expression of the relationship between life experience and art is where I find room to create.”
Schartung has an international exhibition record and is an accomplished educator in Western Kentucky.
The exhibition will be on display at the OCTC Dayman Art Gallery located on the second floor of the Learning Resource Center building on OCTC’s Main Campus at 4800 New Hartford Road.
The exhibition will be on display until Oct. 21, with a free reception featuring live music on Oct. 6 from 4-6 p.m.
