ST. LOUIS, MO- The Saint Louis Art Museum announces the opening of Currents 105: Ian Monroe, an exhibition featuring a new body of work by the London-based artist and Washington University in St. Louis graduate. Through collage and sculpture, Monroe explores a crucial moment in both St. Louis and aviation history.

Inspired by the architecture of Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, Monroe revisits the story of its iconic terminal designed by architect Minoru Yamasaki, best known for his design of the World Trade Center and its twin towers. Opening to great acclaim in 1956, this innovative building transformed the landscape of postwar airport design, as it successfully formalized the concept of flight through the architecture itself.

Monroe presents a series of figurative collages based on archival photographs and a large-scale collaged panel depicting a jet engine and a distant view of Lambert's undulating exterior. Such representational imagery deployed in the artist's characteristic multi-layered, cut-vinyl collages marks a departure for Monroe who is known for large-scale geometric abstractions that depict imaginary, utopian spaces.

The exhibition includes an abstract sculptural installation incorporating common airport material, such as stainless steel and carpet. Also featuring original TWA tumblers and swizzle sticks, the installation will remind viewers of the postwar promise and sophistication of air travel.

Born in 1972 in Cooperstown, New York, Monroe received his B.F.A. from Washington University in St. Louis in 1995 and an M.F.A. from Goldsmiths College, University of London, in 2002.

Monroe's work has been featured in group exhibitions at Den Frie Udstillingsbygning, Copenhagen, Denmark; Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Castilla y Léon, Léon, Spain; Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum für Gegenwart, Berlin, Germany; Saatchi Gallery, London; Whitechapel Gallery, London; Currents 105 is Monroe's first solo museum exhibition. Monroe is represented by Haunch of Venison, London.

Curated by Tricia Y. Paik, assistant curator of modern and contemporary art, Currents 105: Ian Monroe will be on view in Gallery 338 from April 8 through July 31, 2011.