Unique art consisting of multi-layered digital imagery and focusing on memory, place and other age-old life themes will be showcased in a special exhibit at Laredo Community College.
This month, the LCC Art Gallery is presenting an exhibit of “Transformations” by Dr. J. Dawn Mercedes—photographer, artist, educator and author.
Students and the community are invited to an opening reception on Wednesday, Oct. 12 to view the art work and meet the artist. The exhibit will remain on display through Nov. 4. Admission is free and open to the community.
Mercedes is an associate professor of art and graphic design at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, Ill.
Mercedes said that her work consists of “computer-mediated landscapes” investigating age-old themes, such as memory, place, perception, consciousness, loss, grief and healing.
“My work reflects my interest in the theme ‘Sacred Space’ and an exploration of the power of intuition, the importance of relationship, and the centrality of experience,” Mercedes said.
The artist creates her work by combining numerous layers of digital and scanned photographic imagery using Adobe Photoshop software.
“It is not unusual for my pieces to consist of 20 or more different layers of imagery. My goal is to create intimate, subtly detailed images that encourage contemplation and, as a result, the construction of multiple meanings and interpretations,” Mercedes said.
Mercedes attended Ohio State University, where she earned her Ph.D. and her master’s degree in Art Education from the university’s Advanced Computer Center for the Arts and Design.
She received her bachelor’s degree in photography/film/electronic media from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Mercedes also holds certificates on digital image processing, creative composition and design and commercial photography from the Winona International School of Professional Photography in Atlanta, GA.
Mercedes has taught photography and a variety of graphic design courses at Oaktown since 2000.
She also served as a webmaster and taught at Ohio State.
Mercedes has delivered numerous professional presentations in the United States and Brazil. Her work has been featured around the country.
“Transformations” will be on display at LCC through Nov. 4. It may be viewed at the LCC Art Gallery Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 5:30 p.m., and on Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
For more information, contact the LCC Art Department at 721-5224.
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