The Diane Kidd Art Gallery at Tiffin University is to open an exhibit, "Kinetic Memory: Mobiles by Terry Welker." An artist's reception is to take place 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday in the gallery.
Welker is to be on hand to meet visitors and give comments at 7:15 p.m. Based in Kettering, he is a sculptor and architect who works with metals and movement to create distinctive mobiles.
"Be prepared for a transforming experience when you enter the gallery to see Mr. Welker's 'Rain,'" said Marsha Pippenger, gallery director.
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Artist Terry Welker crafts one of his mobiles.
"Making mobiles comes from my passion for architecture, poetic space and meaningful places," Welker said. "Building on the tradition of Alexander Calder, I work to understand and extend the language of mobiles by animating form, space and surface with time and motion."
"The unique character of mobiles reveals the inherent challenge of gravity and the mystery of delicate balance," he said. "Seeking to push the limits of the art form with these forces, I work to orchestrate 'near misses' and enable 'soft collisions' by playing with that time and motion. The unpredictable and accidental nature of these movements allows the observer to move beyond simple viewing and become unconsciously engaged in the enjoyable act of 'watching' and 'staring.'"
Welker began his formal education in fine art but later moved toward architecture. After completing his graduate work as a Wolfson Fellow at the University of Cincinnati in 1987, he taught design and drawing at the university for several years.
An award-winning architect, he opened his own office in 1994 and created the Archetype Gallery, serving artists of the Miami Valley. In 2000, he rekindled his own work as an artist in the Welker Studio.
Today, he is a member of the American Institute of Architects with teaching experience, gallery knowledge and architectural practice.
Welker has been commissioned to create larger works for clients such as Miami Valley Hospital and Children's Medical Center of Dayton and the Nationwide Children's Hospital of Columbus, among many others.
The event is free and open to the public. The exhibition continues through Nov. 27. Regular gallery hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and by appointment by calling Celinda Scherger at (419) 448-3313. Group tours are available.
For more information, visit www.welkerstudio.com.
