“Connected”

6 paintings commissioned for Stevenson Union on the campus of Southern Oregon University

The first symbol that comes to my mind when thinking of Ashland is gateway. The essence of Southern Oregon University’s liberal arts education philosophy is a gateway to responsible citizenship in the world community. I want this project to reflect, visually, our connectedness into the whole world.
After visiting the University campus and meeting with faculty and students I realized how rich in diversity the University is. Through these paintings I seek to mirror our connection to the whole world by providing a visual gateway into other cultures underlining how we are connected though mutual human need and desire.
The Stevenson Union is a place where people come together for a variety of reasons. It is a center for student life and activities and offers nourishment, food for the mind and spirit. As I thought about what replenishes our bodies and spirits, coupled with keywords for this project and the mission statement of the university the paintings came alive.

World focus
Sense of place
Justice
Sense of engagement with the larger world
Acting on knowledge
Personal responsibility
Community based learning
Truth and disciplined inquiry
Mutual respect and trust
Free expression and collaboration
Open-mindedness and informed criticism
Cross-cultural understanding and international competence
Integrity and stewardship
Civic engagement and responsibility
Innovation and entrepreneurship

Images of exotic places, the sources of the nourishment, came to mind: chocolate from Africa, coffee from Arabia, fresh air from the rain forests of South America, the wonders of the traditional Asian diet, the source of our myths, and music from Europe and the bounty and comfort we call home in North America. As I looked toward each continent the inventions, arts, flora and fauna, the culture and fabric became woven together by human beings with whom we share the same hope and ideals, all of us as a world community bringing these expectations to fruition in the world.

I developed each painting to include a broad range of adventure, discovery and learning possibilities. While maintaining a strong compositional dynamic by anchoring the paintings with a central figure or figures in the foreground; each work sends the viewer on an adventure playfully depicting a myriad of nourishing and enriching elements; building dreams into reality.

The first painting entitled “Offering” is an image meant to symbolize SOU and it’s place in the community of Ashland with an eye toward the world. The University’s philosophy and mission are emblazoned on the figure’s garment, the weaving together of ideas, and action. She holds a basket filled with many different kinds of fruit symbolizing the fruit of labor and bountiful harvest; the fruits of knowledge, variety and choice.
In the distance is Mt Ashland, in the sky, a symbol for the four directions, and the “Raiders” athletic symbol. In the middle ground are rolling hills covered with vineyards and fruit trees, symbols of our agricultural community. She wears a local wild orchid in her hair and is surrounded by symbols depicting all the fields of study offered at the university.

World focus, community based learning and acting on knowledge inspired the next five paintings. These works transport us to distant places while carrying with them the same strength and character the University embodies and fosters. People of diverse ethnic backgrounds are shown teaching, learning, working and playing together all over the world.

In the painting entitled “Nourishment” honoring Asian culture, the theme of nourishment continues, a woman instructs a boy on the balance of the traditional Asian food pyramid and the lifelong journey that education/knowledge of what we eat, how we travel, and seemingly simple choices affect the whole world.
In each of the six paintings playful mythological characters appear as well as native fruit and flowers, animals, musicians, dancers and a mix of rural and urban life meant to transport the viewer.

The image entitled “Stewardship” depicts a scene from the rain forest, a main source of our world nourishment, the air we breathe. Within this exotic scene the figures are scientifically exploring the bounty of the rain forest, signifying we are stewards and guardians of our planet and must take an active part in conservation and protection of natural resources. The exotic animals, birds and the very forest itself are essential components in the balance of our fragile eco system and living jewel-like treasures in need of protection.

Within the painting entitled “Balancing” honoring African culture a man in native dress is telling a story about a bird woman mask, underlining the importance of passing arts and culture on through storytelling.
A modern couple enjoys both reading, working and refreshment at a café while musicians play for dancers reenacting a traditional story, highlighting the importance of conserving the traditional forms of communication and opening new connection with the modern world through education. The far distance depicts both wild terrain and modern city underlining the need to grow and prosper while balancing and protecting our world.

Coffee, first enjoyed in the Arab world was served with dates along side for sweetness. In a playful café scene entitled “Linked” friends are connected to a myriad of activity through their laptops. The dramatic change communication has made via the Internet, the great equalizer, cannot be underestimated. In the background power lines connect to distant cities, and a tapestry of possibilities for travel/adventure and learning both physically and metaphysically appear. Figures within the painting are dressed both traditionally and in modern attire. These images of other cultures open the avenues of dialogue about differences and similarities between cultures and ponder where customs originate and how introducing new elements and products change societies and the world.

The sixth painting entitled “Sense of Place” focuses on the Pacific Northwest with images of local history, tradition, geology and culture, which create a sense of place. In the foreground a guide holds a piece of volcanic rock alluding to the unique geological formations surrounding the University and the sense of wonder and discovery that are the riches of learning. In the background members of an archeological dig find an arrowhead. A Native American woman catches salmon with her son; they are surrounded by the symbols of their culture. Two European figures promenade before a castle recalling mythology and cultural heritage kept alive through the Shakespearian festival.

These paintings are meant to empower the viewer instilling a sense of connectedness with the world, while offering a sense play, something to inspire and daydream about; of comfort and well-being.
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Mary Josephson
January 2007