The University of Wisconsin-Superior’s Kruk Gallery will be hosting the opening ceremony of the exhibit titled as “Loaded,” which features the work and experiences of artists Jonathan Thunder and Robb Quisling.
“Big Shot,” SoFlat on wood panel, Robb Quisling.
Photo by Maddie Schaffer | The Promethean
The exhibit and artwork featured portray the artists and their personal experiences with alcohol addiction and recovery, exploring it as a substance and as a force of entrapment.
Quisling started making art during early recovery and discusses how he needed to find something to shift his energy away from using alcohol.
“As time went on, I began using art as a way of processing ideas. Making work about the concepts I had learned in recovery helps me internalize them,” said Quisling. He further discusses how working with Thunder and being in the studio are critical to his growth in art and recovery. He hopes that viewers relate to the exhibit and look for layers of meaning.
Thunder discusses how his decision to quit drinking 11 years ago has also taught him to find new things to put his efforts into, and many of his pieces reflect this journey. “Working with Robb on this exhibit has been a great way to reflect and explore what these years of sobriety have meant to me,” said Thunder. “It’s really just a nod to the life that I was able to create after overcoming a struggle with alcohol.”
Thunder hopes that viewers acknowledge the topic of alcoholism and addiction in our community, as well as reflect on how it may have affected their life.
The opening ceremony for the exhibit is free to attend and open to the public. The ceremony will be held in the Kruk Gallery in the Holden Fine and Applied Arts building on Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. The exhibit will be on display until Dec. 12 and is open Monday through Friday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
