Animal Psyche Art Exhibition at Ohio University Southern

Online, January 8, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Slatton's art explores a variety of animal subjects, ranging from dogs, cows, rabbits, and sheep, to the more unsual, metamorphic creatures. He places them in surreal landscapes, sometimes abstracting his animals and allowing them to interact in unexpected ways.

He calls his images compositional narratives, which often resemble the dark illustrations found in vintage fairy tales. Slatton says that the narrative is one of his more important art tools, because it provides an excellent basis with which to explore the deeper human psyche. The title, "Animal Psyche," suggests the base motivations that drive animalistic actions. This often parodies the human condition, exploring the many disguises humans wear and the psychological games played.

Slatton's medium is a 16th century process called, intaglio, where an image is etched into the surface of a copper plate. The copper is inked and its surface is wiped clean, leaving the ink embedded within the line recesses. The inked plate is covered with moist paper and wool blankets and then rolled through a printing press.
Except for a few innovations, this process is essentially the same as that used by such early printmakers as, Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669), who was noted for bringing out very original and honest observations of ordinary life.

Ralph Slatton is professor in charge of printmaking at East Tennessee State University, where he taught since 1990. He also served as Department Chair, before returning to his first love of teaching and making art.

The art gallery is located at Ohio University Southern, Ironton, Ohio, 1804 Liberty Avenue, Dingus Technology Center - 1st Floor. Slatton's work will show until Feb 3rd. The gallery is open during regular business hours. For more information please call: 740-533-4600.