Professor and former student collaborate “Together”

Moorhead’s Rourke Art Museum until November 8

By Nate Gilbraith, Marketing Intern

Associate professor of sculpture Chris Walla and MSUM alumna Naomi Schliesman ’04 (art) are displaying a joint art show entitled Together at the Moorhead Rourke Art Museum, which will be on display until November 8.

The art show exhibits the artistic dynamics between two sculptors who have known each other for 12 years. Walla is excited that he and Schliesman, a former student of his, had a chance to collaborate with each other.

Sculptor and MSUM associate professor Chris Walla.
Sculptor and MSUM associate professor Chris Walla.

“Over the years, we have maintained a friendship, and I am very proud of the accomplished artist and arts advocate she has become,” said Walla. “I consider her a respected peer.”

The show was made possible by a grant awarded to Walla by the Lakes Region Arts Council. Walla has been thinking about the subject matter for the show for quite some time—economics and politics—and started working on the sculptures last summer. Walla saw multiple issues with the current economic state and drew from these topics as the source for his body of work.

“Right now, our society is shifting from industry-based jobs to service-based jobs. Since the economic fallout of 2009, there is a very real fear that we may be losing the middle class,” explained Walla. “I am seeking to broach the subject matter with a little humor, and I do hope the viewer ponders the issue as time goes on.”

While the pieces being displayed by Walla approach a sizeable topic, Schliesman’s work is inspired by something microscopic.

“Schliesman’s work draws from viruses, microbiology and fungus,” said Walla. “To determine the form, she uses a wide variety of materials to create compositions that are graphic, colorful and approachable.”

Schliesman experiments with these minuscule components by enlarging them to sizes that range from two to four feet tall.

Walla is eager to share this collaboration with the public. Despite the artists’ differences in style, he is confident the show will display the uniqueness in both styles of work.

“We come from different places in terms of artistic inspiration,” said Walla. “Yet the work is completely complementary to one another.”​