The Circle Gallery in the College of Environment and Design will open its fall schedule with works by RG Brown III, artist and UGA emeritus professor of art.
An alumnus of the Harvard Graduate School of Design in Landscape Architecture, Brown chose to dedicate his life to creating art rather than conventional landscapes. But like a landscape architect, his interpretation of place is often foremost in his mind.
Afloat, which will be on display from Aug. 20 to Oct. 2, is a compendium of works that explores the notion of journey and the memories of newfound places and experiences.
For Brown, boats hold a primary place in human and societal development; they are archetypal vessels used to gather and transport personal experiences that shape how people live in the world. During his career Brown traveled to Africa, South America, Europe and Southeast Asia to learn boat building from indigenous people in various cultures.
“Boats can represent many things: transportation, opportunity, livelihood, hardship, leisure, status, freedom, enslavement, transitions and transformation,” Brown said. “One of mankind’s greatest inventions, the boat form has existed in myth and reality since the dawn of civilization. For me, what you bring back from a journey is what is most important, so the boat represents much more than just a vessel; it represents the process and collection of experiences.”
The exhibit’s opening reception will be held Aug. 20 at 4:30 p.m. It is open free to the public.
The Circle Gallery is located in the Jackson Street Building.