Finlandia Gallery hosts exhibit by artist Terri Saulin Sept. 17-Oct. 20

Deterritorialisation 1 2009, by Terri Saulin. Lino cut, chine colle, 22" x 15" (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

HANCOCK -- An opening reception for the exhibit "Lines of Flight," by Philadelphia artist Terri Saulin, will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Finlandia University Gallery of the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock. An artist talk begins at 7:15 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

Flipping, deleting, expanding, speeding up, slowing down, layering and distilling visual material into art pieces, Terri Saulin creates artwork organic in nature and layered with meaning. Her interests in biology, botany, classical music, geology and gastronomy are evident in every nook and crevice of her densely textured ceramic pieces. Although her process begins in sculpture, it develops into drawing (a backward play on the traditional preliminary sketch to final sculpture). Drawings and plaster prints, supplemented by their ceramic references, will be exhibited.

Artist Terri Saulin in her studio. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

"My process begins by making three-dimensional forms as a response to external stimuli. I photograph the forms in various stages of production, further distilling their essence. They are a record; my still life," notes Saulin, describing her working process.

Saulin is on the Finlandia University campus this week through Sept. 18, providing individual critiques to students.

The exhibit will continue through Oct. 20.

The Finnish American Heritage Center is at 435 Quincy St., Hancock. Gallery hours are Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or by appointment. Please call 906-487-7500 for more information.