[337] Sculptor’s ‘playful’ work featured in new MTSU Todd Gallery exhibit

MURFREESBORO — Colorado sculptor Sean O’Meallie, whose colorful, complex works reflect his tenure as an internationally recognized toy inventor, will share his creative process with a special free exhibit, demonstration and lecture at MTSU beginning Tuesday, March 17.

O'Meallie's work was most recently on display in MTSU's Todd Art Gallery as the President's Award winner of 2011's “12” X 12”: A National Juried Exhibition of Small Scale Works of Art.”

His new exhibit at the Todd Gallery, “Pause & Affect: The Curious Playthings of Sean O’Meallie,” is set March 17-April 2. O'Meallie also will demonstrate how he creates his sculptures March 17 in Room 103 of Todd Hall, first from 9 a.m. to noon and again from 2:30 to 5 p.m.

He'll present a public lecture that same day in the Student Union's Video Theatre, located in Room 208 of the Student Union, beginning at 1:15 p.m. All are presented by MTSU's Department of Art and sponsored by MTSU Arts.

"I spent 10 years inventing toy concepts for the international market," O'Meallie said, "and any of the things I observed as an object conceptualist appealing to pre-linguistic children and wary parents are now part of my art making, such as involuntary modes of visual perception and the likelihood of a viewer's cultural predisposition.

"I play with these things, usually in recombinant and disruptive ways, with the goal of rearranging the furniture in one's head in new, surprising ways.”

Todd Gallery director Eric Snyder noted that O'Meallie's "flair for messing with one’s head has led to a prolific career. Many of his artworks are housed in numerous public, private and museum collections, and it’s not uncommon for his creations to be found on tour somewhere in the United States and Europe at any time."

O’Meallie’s work is included in the university-level art and design textbook "Launching the Imagination: A Comprehensive Guide to Basic Design." A 20-foot bronze sculpture of an abstract cowboy in downtown Denver, "Cowboy Pajamas," is one of his career highlights.

He also is the creator of "The Manitou Chair Project," a 2011 half-mile-long outdoor installation that involved the people, townscape and possessions of the entire town of Manitou Springs, Colorado.

An opening reception with O'Meallie is planned for Monday, March 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Room 224A of Todd Hall.

Like all Todd Art Gallery events, the reception, exhibit and O'Meallie's lecture and demonstrations are free and open to the public. The Todd Gallery is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends and state and university holidays.

For more information about O'Meallie's work, visit his website at http://seanomeallie.com. You also can watch a video featuring his 2013 New Orleans exhibit at https://youtu.be/XnQ9qZEAAM4.

For more information about MTSU Arts, which presents a full slate of art, theater and music offerings at the university each year, visit http://www.mtsuarts.com.

For more information about MTSU’s Todd Art Gallery, including parking and directions, contact gallery director Snyder at 615-898-5653 or eric.snyder@mtsu.edu or visit http://www.mtsu.edu/art. You also can find a campus parking map at http://tinyurl.com/MTSUParking14-15.