RICHMOND, VA.- On view through March 25, 2007, the Joel and Lila Harnett Museum of Art, University of Richmond Museums, presents Ilgim Veryeri-Alaca: Recent Prints and Drawings. Currently Assistant Professor, Department of Fine Arts, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey, Veryeri-Alaca is visiting lecturer in the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Richmond during the 2006-2007 academic year. The exhibition features mixed media on paper, combining traditional Turkish marbleizing with contemporary printmaking processes and collage.

Since 1998, Veryeri-Alaca’s work has involved the synthesis of marbleizing paper with printmaking, in which she describes her process as the building of compositions with two complementary techniques. Ebru, or traditional Turkish paper marbling, originated in the 15th century and is created by lightly placing paper on the surface of water to which a pigment has been added and stirred. Alternately, intaglio, from the Italian intagliare — meaning to incise or cut into metal — originated in 17th century Italy. Lines and marks are incised into a copper plate, which is then inked and its surface is buffed clean. The print is made by covering the plate with a moist sheet of paper and passing it through the etching press.

Veryeri-Alaca describes her work as abstracted seascapes with some imagery from the land. “Forms from the Aegean Sea and Turkish cultural heritage form the backbone of my artwork,” she says. “Configuration of the land and the sea has perpetually raised curiosity in me. How every wave affects and forms the others; how the living creatures and rocks are continuously sculpted by the tenuous movements of the water.”

The exhibition, organized by the University of Richmond Museums, was curated by Richard Waller, Executive Director, University Museums, in collaboration with the artist. The exhibition catalogue, published by University of Richmond Museums, was made possible in part with the generous support of the Turkish Cultural Foundation and with additional funding from the University’s Office of International Education, and is available at the University Museums for purchase.

Also on view through May 18, 2007, is the exhibition Silkscreens from the Silkroad, Student Prints from Bilkent University, which features recent art by several of Dr. Veryeri-Alaca’s students from Turkey. The exhibition is displayed in the International Gallery, Room 110, Puryear Hall, and The Down Under, University of Richmond School of Law. The exhibition was organized and supported by the University of Richmond and Bilkent University.