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Erin Lundgren, Senior "Tribal Woman," 2015 Silkscreen
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WIU Student Earns One of Top Awards in Figge College Invitational

February 5, 2016

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MACOMB, IL - Western Illinois University senior art major Erin Lundgren, of Galesburg (IL), was awarded second place in the Figge College Invitational exhibit in Davenport (IA) Thursday night.

Lundgren's entry was a silkscreen called "Tribal Woman." She said when she looks at the woman in the photograph that inspired her work, she becomes curious about "her values, her beliefs and her thoughts."

"'Tribal Woman' is a photorealist silkscreen using a transparent layering technique; there are approximately 40 layers of color," said Lundgren. "This image is based off a photograph of a young Indonesian girl with blue face paint and colorful clothing. I found this portrait while I researched tribal female imagery in the Creative Commons section on Flickr. I am interested in the cultural experiences of others, and I am inspired by this image. I am greatly interested in the experiences of women from different societies. I question how one's environment can affect one's personality. I also consider what universal experiences all women share."

The College Invitational exhibit at the Figge Art Museum includes works from 10 college and universities in the region, including Ashford University, Augustana College, Black Hawk College, Clinton Community College, Knox College, Monmouth College, Scott Community College, St. Ambrose University, WIU and the University of Iowa. Artworks on display include a variety of mediums and techniques, from ink, collage, stoneware clay and etching to digital illustration, watercolor, silkscreen and found materials. Entries were chosen by art professors from the best work at each of the participating schools.

The eighth annual College Invitational is on display through Sunday.

Lundgren is vice president of Kappa Pi International Art Honor Fraternity and she has presented her work at Southern Graphics Council International. She will present at the venue again this spring.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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