“Drunk Strange Waters”

Solo exhibition “Drunk Strange Waters” presents series of visual poems

Contact: Cory Peeke, Nightingale Gallery Director, 541-962-3584 

LA GRANDE, Ore. November 2, 2016 – The Nightingale Gallery at Eastern Oregon University presents a solo exhibition by John Michael Byrd, “Drunk Strange Waters,” opening Friday, Nov. 11 from 6-8 p.m. with a reception for the artist.

Byrd’s show title is derived from a Bible passage, 2 Kings 19:24: “I have digged and drunk strange waters, and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of besieged places.”

The source images for Byrd’s mixed media works come from a Bible coloring book the artist had as a child and recently rediscovered. The coloring book images are one of his first visual memories and were instrumental in inspiring and creating his visual vocabulary.

Works on display are about redirection and re‐understanding. Byrd has dissected the pages of the book, cutting apart the images into simpler parts before arranging and photographing them. Next, he manipulated the images in Photoshop and printed each new image on 172 clear transparencies. Finally, he back-painted specific parts with acrylic paint to highlight implied narratives.

Bryd’s pieces are about trying to make sense of what he has been told. They become visual poems about the artist making sense of his own experiences through the act of making. He pieces back together his childhood memories in a way that is more satisfying than reality.

Byrd received his MFA in studio arts from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and is also an alumnus of Louisiana State University where he received his BFA in painting and drawing. His work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions throughout the U.S. He currently lives and works in New York City.

In conjunction with the exhibition, Byrd will give a talk about his work Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. in Huber Auditorium of Badgley Hall. The presentation is free and open to the public.

See “Drunk Strange Water” through Tuesday, Dec. 6 in Nightingale Gallery located in Loso Hall on campus. Hours are 12 to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For more information visit www.eou.edu/art or connect with gallery on Facebook and Instagram.