UA News

New York sculptor Nick Georgiou, who is a visting artist at the UA this semester, will showcase works he has created during his stay in Tucson.

New York sculptor and filmmaker Nick Georgiou is known for creating complex sculptures that involve sewing together pieces of books, magazines and newspaper to look like humans and other beings.

Georgiou, who is currently a visiting artist at The University of Arizona Union Gallery, has exhibited his work across the United States and abroad.

Next month, the UA's Union Gallery will present "Nick Georgiou: My Human Computer," a collection of work that Georgiou has mostly created during his stay in Tucson.

"I wanted to exhibit his work here," said Union Gallery curator Holly Brown, who had been in contact with Georgiou via e-mail for more than one year prior to his visit.

"His interest in site-specific work and also wanting to work with an educational institution drove that decision," Brown said.

Georgiou arrived in Tucson in early February and has since spent his time using local newspapers to create new sculptures. His new work will be on display at the Union Gallery beginning April 3.

For the exhibition, the gallery space gallery will be transformed into a living set for his creatures to exist and interact with visitors, Brown said.

"His sculptures regenerate natural source material, infusing it with layers of literal and metaphorical meaning in a style that is distinctively his own," she said.

The exhibition will run through April 24 with an opening reception scheduled from 5 to 7p.m. on April 3. An artist talk will be held that night at 6 p.m.

The gallery will also host brown bag lunch discussions with Georgiou at noon on April 8 and April 15. During those talks, he will discuss issues related to modes of communication in the new century.

On April 13, the gallery will host a "meet the artist" dinner event that is free and open to the public. The event begins at 5 p.m.

All events will be held at the UA's Union Gallery, which is located on the third floor of the Student Union Memorial Center, 1303 E. University Blvd.

The Union Gallery received grants and donations to support Georgiou's visit, which is part of the gallery's new visiting artist program. Brown said the gallery intends to support one local or national artist annually.

As part of his visit, Georgiou is also working with UA School of Art students and providing critiques of their work.

"It's something we've been trying to get going, but this is the first so it's pretty exciting," Brown said.

Georgiou is concerned about issues related to recycling, sustainabiliy and communication.

"Each paper sculpture is hand carved and textured so as to encourage interaction with the viewer," Brown continued. "As our culture steadily moves away from paper and the printed word, Georgiou rescues the 'relic' of the 21st century: the printed word, and tells their stories in a new and engaging way."