Professor Renée Zettle-Sterling, left, discusses artwork with Ed
Aboufadel, associate vice president for Academic Affairs. The
exhibition, 'Sorrow/Fullness: A Reflection on Mourning,' is on display
through April 1.
Photo Credit:
Valerie Hendrickson
Three metalsmith artists explore mourning and show how the artists
processed their grief through their work.
Photo Credit:
Valerie Hendrickson
Adrienne Grafton; "Year After Year After Year"
Photo Credit:
courtesy of Adrienne Grafton
Renée Zettle-Sterling; "Object of Transformation: Home #4"
Photo Credit:
courtesy of Renée Zettle-Sterling
Sue Amendolara; "Help Me Say Goodbye"
Photo Credit:
courtesy of Sue Amendolara
An exhibition on the Allendale Campus by three metalsmith artists,
including a Grand Valley faculty member, explores mourning and shows
how the artists processed their grief through their work.
The exhibition features the work of Renée Zettle-Sterling, professor
of jewelry, metalsmithing and foundations, as well as artists Sue
Amendolara and Adrienne Grafton.
In their statement about the exhibition, the artists said it felt
natural for them to turn to artmaking to deal with their personal
experiences of significant loss.
"What you see in this exhibition are the tangible results from
transformative experiences and profound explorations," the
statement said. "It is our hope that by sharing our loss and
shedding light on our perspectives, the viewer will step into a
transformative space with us. Ultimately, this exhibition is an
expression of love for those who have passed and those who walk
alongside us. While we feel great sorrow for our loss, we are
fulfilled by our experiences."
Joel Zwart, GVSU curator of exhibitions and collections, said
Zettle-Sterling, on behalf of the artists, approached Art Gallery
leaders with a proposal for the exhibition, which is part of a joint
effort shown previously at the Erie Art Museum in Pennsylvania. He
said the theme of this work is timely given current circumstances.
"Viewers will encounter a wide variety of three-dimensional
works of art — from small and intricate objects, to wearable works and
larger installations," Zwart said. "Each artist speaks
openly about grief and loss through their work, and it is our desire
that this exhibition and related programming will help start more
conversations around this important topic in our community."
The pieces offer a way to deal with a subject that is both profound
and constant, said Nathan Kemler, Grand Valley director of galleries
and collections.
“Western culture is not afraid of change but we are afraid of
loss," Kemler said. "All change is ultimately loss and, as a
result, we are mourning loss continuously in some manner or another.
'Sorrow/Fullness' offers our community an opportunity to lean into
this natural process of grieving so that we can heal and move forward
in new ways.”
Opportunities to participate in Juneteenth, Pride Month and the Black Boys and Men Symposium strengthen our commitment to an inclusive, welcoming atmosphere through our active efforts to create a sense of belonging.