On Oct. 14, Mercer’s Art Department opened a new exhibit featuring the works of Pat Hickey.. Pat Hickey is an artist from Macon and a Mercer alumnus. Hickey graduated from Mercer in 1993 with a BA degree in Art. He completed his MFA from Georgia Southern in 1996. Hickey also taught art at Georgia College and State University for several years, and he is currently teaching Art History at Mercer.
The Plunkett Gallery can clearly be seen upon entering Hardman Hall. The gallery’s walls are glass, so it is completely visible from the outside. The serene atmosphere of the gallery set the mood for the exhibit. There was an informational program sheet available to gallery guests. Inside was an artist’s statement section that featured commentary by the artist of the exhibit, Pat Hickey. Hickey said, “My art is informed by surrealism, especially Max Ernst, and by the work of Georgia O’Keefe. It can be described as biomorphic improvisation; a fancy way of saying intense doodling. If it ain’t fun, why do it? All work is oil on canvas. All are untitled.” As mentioned in the program, there were no titles attributed to any of Hickey’s pieces of art. When approached with an analytical eye, the paintings remained a mystery to the novice observer. This, however, did not take away from the general effect of the artwork. Each piece was done beautifully with perfect blending of colors, intricate brushstrokes and fine detail. The most eye-catching piece was an abstract painting of a bird. This painting stood out because it was the piece with the most definition and detail. This bird was a lovely shade of blue with harsh, red accents. The complement of these two bold colors were striking and stunning. Overall, the exhibit was a very peaceful experience. If a Mercer student wanted a moment to escape the stress and demands of academic life, this exhibit would be the perfect place for tranquility, or to simply enjoy artwork. The exhibit will be open until Nov. 8th. Plunkett Gallery’s viewing hours are Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. There will be a gallery talk and reception on Nov. 8 at 10 a.m.
