Robert Bridges, curator of the Mesaros Galleries in the WVU Division of Art, will present a Gallery Talk at the Creative Arts Center, Wednesday, Oct. 22, about the current exhibition of works from the WVU Art Collection on display in the Laura Mesaros Gallery.

The lecture will begin at 5 p.m. in the Bloch Learning and Recital Hall (Room 200A) and centers on the exhibitShifting Meanings: The Layered Images of Hammond, Fitzpatrick and Mull. A reception will follow at the galleries.

The exhibition is primarily composed of recent acquisitions by the WVU Art Collection. The works were selected for the exhibition by Bridges and the students in his curatorial practice class. The three artists, Jane Hammond of New York City, Tony Fitzpatrick of Chicago, and Martin Mull of Los Angeles share common techniques in creating their highly personal images. Each artist builds layers of information to create ambiguous work that can be read in many ways.

Master collagist Jane Hammond’s work is composed of many layers of media, ideas and associations. She employs a library of found images and layers of paint to make works that are drawn from sources such as 19th-century technical manuals, antique childrens books, manuals on magic tricks, botanical guides and pornographic comics.

Tony Fitzpatrick’s work is a blend of imaginative imagery, detailed drawing and soul. There is seemingly innocent cartoon-like imagery, while a deeper, darker conflict is told through a narrative. Fitzpatrick a self-taught artist and also an actor who appeared in the movies”Philadelphia,”“Primal Fear”and”Married to the Mob,”among others. He is a poet with several books of poetry to his credit, and a radio talk-show host.

Martin Mull is also widely known as a comedian, actor, musician and songwriter. But in the past few years he has developed a reputation as an outstanding painter. In Mulls paintings figures and forms float throughout the collage-like landscapes seemingly in some dialogue for the viewers visual interpretation. Mull often incorporates 1950s Americana themes in ironic ways.

The Mesaros Galleries are open Monday through Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. They are closed Sundays and on University holidays. Special viewing times may be arranged upon request.

All WVU Division of Art events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact the College of Creative Arts at (304) 293-4841 ext. 3108.