Pattern Recognition

Sept. 14–Dec. 14, 2024

Forsyth Galleries | Memorial Student Center, MSC 2428

The concept of pattern in the arts provides artists with tools that can limit creativity or suggest new avenues for exploration. They can offer a maker innovative options to explore with their accustomed materials and techniques; at times present a designer a means of control; advance a range of new ornaments and motifs to work with; and impart a new understanding of the relation between functional and decorative form. This exhibition will look at the impact of pattern in the arts using the University Art Galleries collections given these four definitions of the word:

1) Pattern as a regular arrangement of lines, shapes, colors, etc. for example as a design on material, carpets, etc. A decorative or artistic design, often repeated, especially on a manufactured article such as a piece of china, a carpet, fabric, etc., a style, type, or class of decoration, composition, or elaboration of form.

2) Something shaped or designed to serve as a model from which a thing is to be made; a design, an outline; an original.

3) A natural or man-made arrangement of shapes or markings having a decorative or striking effect.

4) A design, set of instructions or shape to cut around that you use to make something.

5) A small piece of material, paper, etc. that helps you choose the design of something; a sample.