UCO Melton Gallery Hosts “Wild Shadows” Exhibition

The University of Central Oklahoma Melton Gallery is hosting the exhibition “Wild Shadows,” featuring sculptures by artists Barbara Weidell and Jessica Teckemeyer.

The show opened with a public reception on Nov. 6 and will stay open until Nov. 19 in the UCO Art and Design building.

The exhibition brings together two Oklahoma artists who explore the connection between folklore, mythology, and modern life. Both artists take different approaches to storytelling through their sculptures. 

“Wild Shadows” Exhibition at UCO Melton Gallery (Karla Brizuela/ The Vista)

Barbara Wiedell, who recently retired after more than 20 years as professor of sculpture at UCO, uses clay, bone, sinew, and thread to create ceramics that focus on nature and transformation. Jessica Teckemeyer, associate professor of sculpture at Oklahoma State University, uses a mix of traditional and digital techniques to study psychology and mythology.

“Jessica’s work is precise and smoothly created in polymers, resins, and ceramics.  She utilizes digital components, whereas mine is rough, found objects, textural, and primarily ceramic.  Physically, our work is diametrically opposite, but conceptually we are very similar, combinations of myths and folklore,” said Weidell.

“The exhibition was a lovely way to showcase my work created during my time as a professor at UCO It is fulfilling to have my work exhibited at UCO and have colleagues look at my work created over the time I worked at UCO,”  Weidell said. 

One of Weidell’s featured pieces, Abbadon, went through a long process of reimagining before reaching its final form.

“Abbadon” by Barbara Weidell, (Karla Brizuela/The Vista)

“Abbadon holds a special place because it was originally created to have a completely different head and wings.  I really was dissatisfied with it and dismantled it.  What I created from that is much more exciting and unified.  I love the idea that I don’t have to stay with how a piece turns out, I can change it as often as I want till it meets my satisfaction,” Weidell said.

“My hope would be that visitors see the common thread throughout all human time, regardless of religion or politics, as we ultimately face mortality,” she continued.

The exhibition is free and open to everyone. The Melton Gallery is open from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from noon to 3 p.m. on Fridays. 

For more information, contact metongallery@uco.edu or visit meltongallery.com