Art Show: “The Egyptian Mystery Room”
“The Egyptian Mystery Room,” created by Mary Robinson, is another unusual offering from the North Bank Artists Gallery. That venue is primarily supported by studio rental fees and membership dues, which gives it flexibility to present shows that aren’t commercially viable otherwise. Admission is free.
Robinson, a former economics professor at Clark College, has been fascinated for years by ancient Egyptian culture and history and symbols. The 65-year-old loves to read mysteries, and her artwork typically includes recycled materials refurbished and made appealing in a new way. She combined those interests to make the puzzle room, which subtly reveals clues to an underlying narrative that binds together a collection of collages, paintings, books, cabinets, jewelry, letters and other art objects, including hand-decorated journals.
The setting is the early 1900s, and visitors to the gallery initially will encounter a couple of letters that start the story. From there, participants can follow any of the three main plotlines or the dozens of subplots. Some end in success. Others in disappointment.
Robinson said the artwork is meant to be explored visually and physically. Things are not always what they appear to be. Robinson expects the mystery could take 20 minutes to unravel, or 90 minutes, or even days, depending on the depth a person wants to delve into the concept.
Even though the exhibit is not commercially oriented in nature, the artwork will be for sale, ranging from $120 for the crow journal to $1,200 for a large collage featuring pyramids and the sphinx as well as other Egyptian symbols.
Excerpted from an article by Brett Oppegaard for The Columbian
