Temporary Surface

Temporary Surface refers to both the ever-changing urban landscape of Qatar and the continual manipulations of surface and mark that characterize the picture plane.

For the past year, Lewis and McPherson have maintained artist studios at VCUQatar, while also teaching and mentoring students within the Painting and Printmaking Department. The exhibition is the culmination of this nine-month period of research and practice in Qatar.

Both artists actively layer visual information as a form of mark-making, bringing together drawn, painted and photographic sources. The results range from Lewis’ large-scale photographic prints and assemblages to McPherson’s series of handmade artist books, paintings and sculpture.

While Lewis’ work is driven by experimental processes referencing science, architecture and perspective as source material, McPherson builds narrative and humor using unexpected combinations of figures, text and imagery drawn from both found and collected experiences. Within each practice, there is a strong connection between digital and handmade methods. Temporary Surface reveals observations of this particular place and time in Qatar as it reflects each artist’s approach to making and processing visual information.

The artists will also give a public lecture on their work at VCUQatar Room 268 on 29 April at 12:30pm.