Friday, December 14th 2007
at sweet hickory
(317 east 3rd st in bloomington)
an opening of paintings by
Herbert J. Rieth III
8-11pm
show will run until January 24th 2-8pm daily (normal gallery hours)
Artist Statement and Bio
As an artist Herb Rieth has explored many different media and conceptual territories. His works range from discrete and succinct mixed media wall pieces to traditional oil painting in addition to open ended installations that incorporate viewer interaction and play.
One of his main areas of focus is the use of cloth as a signifier as well as a formal element within his work. This has taken the form of pillows used by the audience to construct their own meanings as well as in a two dimensional format to seat images in time and to contextualize them in terms of social class and function.
Recent topics of exploration have included the use of cartoon imagery as filtered through the Chicago Imagist movement, exploring disjuncture through quilted cloth and use of camouflage as a form of landscape.
He has exhibited nationally in the United States in juried competitions (winning top honors in the 2006 Northern National Juried Exhibition), invitational exhibitions (recently at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN) and various national and regional group shows.
Mr. Rieth has also begun to lecture on his work extensively, at various venues from Community Colleges to large state Universities.
As a long time resident of Bloomington, Herb played in various local bands including The Doo Dads, The Squash Blossom String Pullers Orchestra and The Ballroom Roustabouts.
Currently living in Starkville, Mississippi, Herb teaches Drawing and Design at Mississippi State University after stints teaching at Ohio Northern University and University of Cincinnati.