Lakes Region Showcase Magazine - Feature Story---Thursday, April 10, 2003

"Souls caught in the wake," journey from their bodies. Metal, paint, wire, wood, 27" H x 9" W x 8" D

Galletly Gallery features art 'From Twisted Metal'
"It records cultures. It's how people look, how they dress, what they eat, what they think is important. It reflects an attitude of a time. It pushes boundaries and invents itself in new forms. It is a universal language."

By JESSICA KING --- Staff Intern

This is how Farmington resident Kim Wintje answers the age-old question "what is art?" and her thought-provoking sculptures will be on display through April 19 at New Hampton School's Galletly Gallery. An artist's reception takes place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. tomorrow. Wintje has been involved in art for nearly 20 years now, and her creative

Kim Wintje

juices never cease to flow. In 1993, an accepted collaborated proposal submitted to Inez McDermott, then director of New England College Gallery, resulted in a significant change in her direction as an artist and the materials she uses.

"I like any type of sculpture that unravels me, shakes me up, that I can't get out of my head. The proposal gave me the opportunity to collaborate with another artist," Wintje remarked. "I was able to explore new materials."

Formerly using fiber, Wintje tested the idea of using metal during a collaboration she experienced that incorporated rituals she says "re-awakened and reminded her of the invisible yet universal pathway uniting and connecting all people with the earth and its life forms.

" Her artwork has since planted its roots in the creative soil of recycled metal, wire, wood, canvas, and paint, and have blossomed into sculptures relating to many environmental and political issues including pollution, habitat loss, human rights, and extinction.

"My world of metal metaphors has found its inspiration from the political landscape of the morning newspaper or by flipping through the pages of history," Wintje commented. "Each piece of work is sewn together with metal stitches, some

Political laundry and social attire series

resembling medical sutures and others thetypical embroidery found in cloth. For me it is important that my art reflects ... visually records this moment in time."

"From Twisted Metal" captures the post 9/11 atmosphere, with such subjects as abusive priests and corporate greed feeling the heat of the societal spotlight. While the hand of the artist holds the true interpretation of their work, Wintje reminds us that "From Twisted Metal" can be experienced in many ways.

"Children might see it as little dolls, others might see colors and textures. The recycled materials will be of interest to some, and the subject matter will result in people thinking and speaking about our world."

Wintje received her degree from New York's Alfred University Art School in 1974. Since 1990, she has self-taught herself in computer graphics. In 1998, Wintje received a New Hampshire State Council

Detail: launching "the attack for civilization. " Metal, paint, wire, wood, 24" H x 8" W x 14" D

on the Arts Individual Artist Fellowship. and a Piscataqua Community Foundation Artist Advancement in 2002. She is a juried member of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, is involved in the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, Arts in Education Program, and has completed two New England Artists Training Projects residencies.

Her work is exhibited in shops and galleries throughout New England, and she maintains an online gallery of her sculpture at the web site www.worldpath.net/~kimmarty/gallery.htm

A piece of artwork works like a breeze; it touches everyone in some way or another no matter how complex the opinions and viewpoints are. It has a voice, and it's only when we get past what we think the art is yelling that we can really hear what's important -- what it's whispering to each of us individually -- and that's when true art takes it's form.

The Galletly Gallery is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, please contact Amy Curry, director of Fine and Performing Arts New Hampton School at 677-3513.

© 2003 Geo. J. Foster Company