A new exhibit is now open in Spiva Art Gallery at Missouri Southern.  

The display is titled “Handymen” and features recent works by Marco Rosichelli and Justin Shaw.  

An opening reception was held Feb. 22. 

A presentation was given by Rosichelli and Shaw as well.

Both artists are professors in the art design department at the University of Central Missouri.  

Shaw graduated from Southern in 2004 before completing his master’s degree in sculpting art at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.  

Rosichelli received his bachelors of fine arts from Southern Oregon University and his masters in sculpture from Arizona State University.    

Christine Bentley, associate professor and gallery director of Spiva Art Gallery describes the show as being “materiality, and whimsy.  

“It engages the viewer and the space in which it is installed,” said Bentley.  

The works of “Handymen” investigate themes of regional feelings through first glance, playful and lighthearted pieces.  

Both artists have a talent and fondness to working with their hands.

It also utilizes traditional methods while focusing ideas through a current, contemporary scope.   

“It allows the viewer to create their own narrative, while also hinting at the story/context in which it was created by the artists themselves,” says Bentley.  

“I think, in some ways, these are indirect self-portraits. I can see the artists, however, it is disconnected enough, where I can also see myself,” Bentley added.

Lydia Humphreys, a sophomore studio art major at Southern viewed the display.

“Justin got his bachelor’s degree in sculpture so his work reflects his reaction to the tools that he works with and what it was like living in the Midwest,” Humphreys said. “You can see that in the Missouri shaped sculpture.”  

In addition, she went on to describe Rosichelli and his inspirations.  

“Marco works with these textiles and patterns that really coincide together,” said Humphreys.  

“Rosichelli uses a pattern that was used on war ships years ago to help disguise and hide the ship and that pattern is shown throughout several of his pieces,” Humphreys added. 

Humphreys also joked how Rosichelli likes to kind of “poke fun” at other artists and pieces of art and explained how to add to the show. 

Rosichelli used other someone else’s ceramic pieces and took pictures with them to look like a ceramics artist.  

The show will be on display through Wednesday, March 16.  

Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.