Michael Namkung, 2010 James Rosenquist Artist in Residence, has planned an exhibit at the Memorial Union Gallery from May 5-14. An artist reception is scheduled for Thursday, May 6, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Namkung performs kinesthetic drawing experiments that use the physicality of his body as the medium. An amateur athlete, he uses his training regimen to inform his creative research, which he defines as “an exploration of what happens when the activity of drawing is infused with the language of athletic training.” Through video, performance, installation and audience participation, Namkung investigates questions of process, materiality and perception, specifically in terms to their relationship to the body.
“My work seeks to disturb lines that are categorically drawn and questions the stability of the contours we embody and by which we limit ourselves,” Namkung said. “In drawing under duress, I aim to agitate the edges and breach these boundaries and to explore a state of consciousness that is rooted in the body.”
In his exhibit, Namkung will display video, sound and drawings from four exercise experiments that he conducted while at NDSU. During the past weeks, Namkung designed physically rigorous drawing activities with more than 100 individuals participating.
The James Rosenquist Artist in Residency Program honors James Rosenquist, internationally known artist of the Pop Art movement. Rosenquist was born in Grand Forks, N.D., and received an honorary doctorate from NDSU in May 2005.
For more information, contact the Memorial Union Gallery at ndsu.mugallery@ndsu.edu.