Artist Eric Tucker graduated from IU Northwest and is now a visiting lecturer with the Department of Fine Arts

The Indiana University Northwest campus and the greater Northwest Indiana community are invited to view an artwork exhibit by IU Northwest and University of Chicago grad Eric Tucker, entitled, “South of No North.” Tucker is originally from Highland, and currently resides in Whiting.

The exhibited art contains objects that are sculptures, by definition, due to their three-dimensionality.

However, the artist explained that the exhibit was created with the intention of expanding and examining traditional interpretations of drawing, sculpture and painting.

“The work highlights elements such as line, plane and color to erase the stringent classifications of Formalism,” Tucker said. “This should not be seen as an anti-formalist approach to art-making but, rather, an attempt to augment our understanding of Formalism and its relevance in contemporary art and culture.

Tucker also reflected on the meaning of his art by noting that truly everything in the world is open to interpretation, discussion and debate.

“That milieu provides us with the perfect moment to rethink abstraction and its greater implications,” he added.

The exhibit, ‘South of No North,’ will be open to the public until Saturday, Dec. 4.

After graduating from IU Northwest in 1998 with a bachelor of arts, Tucker continued his education by attending the University of Chicago to obtain a master in fine arts.

He holds a visiting lecturer position at his alma mater, IU Northwest, where he currently teaches Art Theory, Fundamental Studio-Drawing, and Classics in Philosophy of Art.

Tucker is represented by Zg Gallery and over the past few years has exhibited in Chicago at Zg Gallery, Gallery 312, and Midway Studios; in Munster at the Bachman Gallery and at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts; and several times in the IU Northwest Gallery for Contemporary Art.

The IU Northwest Gallery for Contemporary Art is open to the public Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Please note, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday the gallery will be closed from Thursday, Nov. 25 until Monday, Nov. 29.

The mission of the IU Northwest Gallery for Contemporary Art is to present an innovative exhibition program that complements and enhances the university’s academic offerings.

Exhibit art collections are for study and research, and are also meant to educate the university community, as well as the general public, about the forms and issues of contemporary and historic art from all cultures.

The gallery is located in the Savannah Center neighboring the IU Northwest Book Store.

For more information, contact Gallery Director Ann Fritz at (219) 980-6891 or afritz@iun.edu. To view additional artwork created by Eric Tucker, visit Zg Gallery’s Web site at http://www.zggallery.com/tucker_bio.htm.