KAT NECHLEBOVÁ & MARCO HERNANDEZ
DECEMBER 1 - 22, 2023
MAIN SPACE | The Empyrean Odyssey of Metal and Seas, an exhibition by Kat Nechlebová
I use my experiences as both an artist and therapist to portray human behavioral patterns visually and experientially, providing tangible models to understand otherwise unconscious behavior. In this series I took a meditative approach to casting metal in carved sand, and incorporated organic dying and weaving techniques to explore abstract expressions of different states of consciousness. I find that manipulating carbon-based mediums and disregarded material encourages a more aware state of being, and it’s my hope that The Empyrean Odyssey of Metal and Seas will encourage us to attend more carefully to all that is taking place around us, as well as appreciate our roles in this grand experience of life.
Famed analytical psychologist Carl Jung claimed that the true nature and secret of alchemy wasn’t about turning lead to gold, but was the symbolic reversal of the material, earthly, and unconscious in favor of the transcendent spirit, consciousness, and meaning. The seven alchemic stages are represented in sculpture to explore the transmutational processes, transforming the inner-elements of ourselves from their base, elemental form to their highest realized potential.
About the Artist
Kat Dison Nechlebová, M.A., NLC, ATR earned a BFA in sculpture from the Kansas City Art Institute in 2007; thereafter, she obtained Masters Degrees in counseling and art therapy with emphasis in transpersonal psychology at Southwestern College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and graduated from the Boulder Psychotherapy Institute, earning her certification in their Applied Existential Coaching program. She currently resides in Kansas City, running her private practice "Art Therapy & Integrative Counseling" providing services as an art therapist, Colorado registered psychotherapist, existential phenomenologist, and multidisciplinary artist.
For the past decade, the scope of Kat's disciplines ranged from ancient wisdom traditions to cutting-edge developments in modern interpersonal neurobiology--including spiritually-based traditions of Jungian psychology, existential-phenomenology, holotropic breathwork, dream analysis, sound healing, existential coaching, and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
Kat uses her experiences as both an artist and therapist to portray human behavioral patterns visually and experientially, providing tangible models to understand otherwise unconscious behavior. In her art, Kat explores the perpetual evolution of arts' ever persistent challenge to collective ecological, cultural, and political social paradigms.
SNAP SPACE | Reconectando con mis Raíces, an exhibition by Marco Hernandez
My current body of work explores issues associated with the societies and politics of contemporary Mexican and Mexican American Cultures. I am inspired by my personal experiences growing up as a Mexican immigrant in California and the Midwest. Mexican and Mexican American symbols play a large role in my prints. The symbols span from ancient Mesoamerican imagery to contemporary popular culture items, such as the Valentina hot sauce. Life experiences and a traditional Mexican upbringing have influenced my thoughts and beliefs; and ultimately have been inspirational to the imagery and meaning in my current work.
The art of printmaking provides me with a flexibility of technique and process necessary for my content development. Experimenting in the studio is as important as historical research in my search for content and ideas. The initial inspiration for my current work comes from several sources, including black and white photographs of the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920), Francisco Goya’s Los Desastres de la Guerra (Disasters of War) etchings (1810-1820), and contemporary interpretations of Mexican folk legends. With these images in mind, I use printmaking to visually create powerful and interesting compositions with an emphasis on highly delicate printmaking techniques. Inspiration, technique, and print medium may vary between prints but my curiosity, hard work ethic, and patience always remain constant.
About the Artist
Marco Hernandez is a Mexican Artist/Printmaker who currently resides in Kansas. He received his Master of Fine Arts Degree from Kansas State University in December of 2015. After receiving his MFA degree, he was hired as an art instructor at Kansas State University and he became the Printmaking area coordinator for one semester. In the fall of 2016, Mr. Hernandez was hired as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Print Media at Wichita State University. He is currently still teaching at Wichita State University and his current position is Assistant Teaching Professor of Print Media and Foundations Coordinator.
Mr. Hernandez’s work has been exhibited in many national and international exhibitions which include the International Print Center New York, Delta National, Americas: Paperworks/All Media, and the Atlanta Print Biennial. His work has been exhibited in several countries including Mexico, Canada, Colombia, Poland, and Croatia and has received numerous awards including purchase awards, merit awards, best of show, and solo show invitations. Mr. Hernandez has also received two artist fellowships and has attended several artist residencies including the Vermont Studio Center, Zea Mays Printmaking, and Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts.
The theme and imagery of his work relates to his culture and unique upbringing in the United States. Mr. Hernandez is very optimistic about his future as an artist and educator; he is determined to keep making art for the rest of his life.
