An exhibition of art by Arkansas native and abstract artist Steven Wise is on display in the hallway of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center on the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith campus until April 15.

 

The exhibition, titled “Steven Wise: A Decade of Paintings 2003-2013,” features work from the artist’s “alpha/beta projects,” in which Wise is working on 26 projects -- one per year -- that correspond to each letter of the alphabet.

 

Projects include 10 canvas paintings for the letter B, 12 paintings of abstract faces for the letter F and “portrait paintings of rednecks” for the letter R. 

 

Wise, who is approximately halfway through the project, said form is a defining component of his art.

 

“I structure my activity of work so that I can concentrate on material, touch, texture and surface,” he said. “In almost all cases, form is a consequence of this activity. Content is discovered while making images under a controlled set of conditions imposed on my activity of work. To this end, form becomes content.”

 

Don Lee of Fort Smith, head of the art department at UAFS, said Wise is “one of a group of Arkansas artists who is an inspiration in terms of making art and promoting art and artists.”

 

“Steve’s work is insightful, fresh, witty and aesthetically accomplished,” he said. “I’m very pleased that Steve’s paintings will be available to students and the community; this is brilliant work and deserves some time.”

 

Wise lives in Prairie Creek with his wife and five children. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Swarthmore College and his Master of Fine Arts from the University of Iowa. Wise’s work has been shown in a number of solo and group exhibitions, including the Annual Delta Exhibition at the Arkansas Arts Center and the Arkansas Arts Council’s Annual Small Works on Paper Exhibition.

 

In 2013, Wise curated “Abstract Art,” which included the work of five artists living in Arkansas who share his commitment to abstract painting.

 

The exhibit hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Fridays. The exhibit is located on the west end of the first floor of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center and encompasses wall space outside the Reynolds Room.

 

For more information about the exhibition, contact the Campus and Community Events office at 479-788-7300.