"Vision to Form" by Barbara McIlrath

About

Groveland Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of Vision to Form, an exhibit of new work by Barbara McIlrath. The show’s title references the contemplative task of transforming her Pepin, Wisconsin property, and how this reciprocal relationship works in both directions—the environment influences the art, and the art, in turn, alters the artist’s perception of her surroundings. McIlrath’s heavy impasto and use of palette knife create definitive edges of form, as the envisioned landscape comes into focus.

In these new works, McIlrath acts as a mediator between the past and future of the landscape. With construction ongoing, her paintings serve as a visual record of this moment of creation and formation. McIlrath writes,

“This exhibition introduces a new body of work documenting my path on the transformation of a historic farmstead. The theme of “vision to form” pertains to making drawings and paintings as well as designing a house and restoring the land. For over twenty years, my artistic process has been focused on observational responses to my valley in Pepin, Wisconsin. Recently this has changed. Beginning in 2023, I have been shaping the landscape, then documenting the changes through photography, drawing, and painting.

Rather than representing the landscape as something “outside of me,” I am now in a daily process of changing the land with a construction project and conservation reserve program. This process began with a team effort of architectural site planning - a collaboration with our architect, builder and family. We walked the fields noting solar orientation and views. We mapped the land with satellite and drone images. We created a site plan and began to move the earth.

As the construction process continues, each day brings new discoveries that find their way into my studio. I have translated these experiences into new forms: ink drawings, outdoor gouache paintings, and large-scale oil paintings, which are the pieces of this exhibition.”

The artist will be present at the opening reception on Saturday, June 7 from 2-5 pm. The exhibition runs concurrently with Moving Through Time by Holly Newton Swift. Barbara McIlrath and Holly Newton Swift will give a combined artist talk at Groveland Gallery on Saturday, June 28 starting at 3pm. Both shows continue through July 12, 2025. For more information, please call 612-377-7800 or visit www.grovelandgallery.com.