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Wednesday, December 08, 2021

Opening Zoom Reception for Natalie Salminen Rude exhibit in·ter·stice: (noun) a small intervening space to be Dec. 9 at Finlandia Gallery

Artist Natalie Salminen Rude. (Photos courtesy Finlandia University)

HANCOCK -- Finlandia University Gallery presents the 31st Annual Contemporary Finnish American Artist Series Exhibition featuring the artwork of Natalie Salminen Rude at the Finlandia University Gallery, located in the Finnish American Heritage Center (FAHC), Hancock until February 4, 2022.

An opening Zoom reception will be held at 7 p.m. EST on Thursday, December 9. Join Zoom Meeting here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85740123384?pwd=VkxCVTVwck5PZzZKdTJYTFBYUHJxdz09

Meeting ID: 857 4012 3384
Passcode: 713269

An in-person closing reception for the artist is planned to take place at the gallery from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. EST on Thursday, February 3, with an artist talk beginning at 7:20 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

first fruits offering
(scarcity poses as truth)
Annunciation
2021
Encaustic, mixed media on panel
8″ x 10″

Finnish American artist Natalie Salminen Rude is presenting an exhibit titled in·ter·stice: (noun) a small intervening space. Contemplative, multidisciplinary and inquisitive, Salminen Rude aims to identify and uncover the dehumanizing forces found within technology and systemization. What is to be done if we are too deeply steeped in a system that we depend on? What happens when we never stop long enough to think thoroughly through the possible ramifications of progress as a core value, as our new sacred?

we’re overthrown
values illuminated
please take directions
2019
Encaustic, hand drawn plat map artifacts, dried botanicals, 23kt gold leaf, quilting hoops
48″ x 72″

For Salminen Rude, an antidote lies in the re-humanizing of all things. A simple first step for her is more non-digital communication, through movement, word and image, in physical spaces. By use of antidotal and symbolic imagery, layered ideation, encaustic, oil, light and darks, and haiku (as "poetic assists" for conversation), Salminen Rude brings together an interstice for contemplation and conversation. Her desire is that viewers pay attention to and participate in their own inquiries and solutions. Through attention, dialogue and the art of breaking down the breakdowns, the re-humanizing of our world is still possible.

Salminen Rude is both an artist and a poet, with poetry and text playing a vital role in her practice. She works in a variety of mediums, employing oils, mixed media and encaustic in her paintings and sculpture. Her work explores and celebrates layered ideation, both physically and metaphorically.

life support systems
embedded in Earth’s design
the Lie says "uproot"
2021
Oil, 23kt gold leaf on canvas
30″ x 40″

Salminen Rude received a BFA from the University of Wisconsin-Superior in 2003 and currently resides in Duluth with her husband and three children. Prior to the pandemic of 2020, she maintained a brick and mortar studio and showroom called Studio Haiku. She teaches encaustic workshops both locally and internationally; exhibits; and facilitates discussions on spirituality, the art of haiku, and what it means to live as an artist within the context of commitment, family, and the humble rhythms of life. 

human flourishing
are we paying attention?
extermination
(detail) 2019
Encaustic, hand drawn plat map artifacts, Japanese paper, ink, 23kt on birch panel
45″ x 48″

The Finlandia University Gallery is located in the Finnish American Heritage Center, 435 Quincy Street, 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.

Learn more about this exhibit, other exhibits and the Finlandia University Gallery in general by visiting finlandia.edu/universitygallery.

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