aerial view of Western's campus at night, with golden lights surrounded by dark trees

Art Student Fiona Shearer Presents Solo Show 'Personal Space' June 1-17

Contact: Fiona Shearer, BFA Art Student, (206) 390-1546, shearef@students.wwu.edu

BELLINGHAM – Western Washington University Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) student Fiona Shearer will present her solo exhibition “Personal Space” from June 1-17 at Whatcom Wine Makers in downtown Bellingham.

One of the pieces from BFA student Fiona Shearer's solo exhibit, "Personal Space," opening June 1 at Whatcom Wine Makers in downtown Bellingham.

The exhibition is the culmination of Shearer’s work in a year long, self-directed study in the Department of Art. A special reception will be held at the exhibit from 6 - 10 p.m. on Friday, June 3, The reception and the exhibition are free and open to the public.

“Personal Space” utilizes photography and mixed media sculpture to explore the question, “To what extent can we express our relationship to our environment?” Shearer’s sculptures convey notions of space, the body, and the home, using a vast array of materials such as ceramic, wood, fabric, wire and paper. Accompanying photographs investigate the sculptures using a macro lens, offering the viewer a glimpse into a world inaccessible through the naked eye.

Shearer’s art is a method of investigating places and spatial relationships. Her explorations span historical, cultural and ideological associations tied to our environment, as well as human effects on the places we inhabit, pass through or briefly visit. Growing up in the same small house in Seattle her entire life is a major influence on Shearer’s work. As her parents maintained their 100-year-old home, she watched the city grow, ebb and flow around her. Shearer’s work often observes the transitory nature of our environment, and questions her own, and others, attachments to surroundings.

Whatcom Wine Makers is open from noon to 6 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday, and is located at 130 E. Champion St. in downtown Bellingham.

For more information on “Personal Space,” please contact Fiona Shearer at (206) 390-1546 or shearef@students.wwu.edu.