Daily Egyptian Sp03
Spring 2003
SIUC Alumni to showcase work during summer exhibit
Jessica Yorama
Daily EgyptianAn SIUC alumna will showcase the watercolor paintings to vividly capture the human form as well as scenery this summer.
The exhibit, which will showcase 30 paintings, are primarily inspired by the landscape of her native country of India.
Mary Pachikara is the featured artist for most of the month of June during the 2003 Summer Exhibits at the University Museum. Pachikara's work, which is predominantly a mixture of watercolor pen and ink drawings, will be on display in the museum June 9 through June 26 in the museum.
According to William Snyder, watercolor does not commonly appear in the museum, with only a few paintings of this type on display in the permanent collection. However, employees at the museum were so impressed by her work during several all-women's shows that they asked Pachikara to display her work in a one-person show.
Pachikara said she developed her interest in art at a young age after discovering that she could draw, but said her formal art education did not really begin until she came to SIUC. She ventured to the University in the 1980s, more than 20 years after receiving a degree in botany. She said that she was overwhelmed and fascinated by the large collection of art available at Morris Library, specifically the art of Chinese artists, which is recognized for the story the painting story tells.
"I was never really exposed to art when I was younger except for the art I saw in books and magazines," Pachikara said. "This show is basically the end product of all of my studies and work and combined efforts to be an artist."
Although she cites Rembrandt as her primary influences because "he does not do many details, but his work is so complete," she said she also had many people who inspired her on campus.
Michael Onken, professor emeritus at the SIUC, who Pachikara named as an influence during her time at the University, was equally impressed by the work of his former student.
"Her work is wonderfully bright and vivid," Onken said. "It's influenced by her south Indian background and botanically accurate in all things botanical."
Although Pachikara's show does not officially begin until the first day of the semester, those interested in her work will have the chance to view it during a preview show on May 9.
"We were quite thrilled when she said she would do a show with us," said Snyder, the exhibit's designer for the museum. "We were particularly struck by her landscapes and figural paintings.
There's a definite delicacy to her touch, particularly in her figural work. Her paintings capture a sense of the subject's emotions."
Reporter Jessica Yorama can be reached at jyorama@dailyegyptian.com
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Last update: Tuesday, May 6, 2003 at 2:07:47 PM
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