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For the past several weeks the Norman Hall Art Gallery has been bustling with individuals observing Tammy Harrington’s exhibit titled “The Air Between Us.” The paper cut artwork represents a connection to Harrington’s Chinese roots and consists of self portraits portraying Harrington making many different expressions.
Paper cutting originated in Chinese culture and dates back to the fourth century. The art style was founded for religious reasons but later shifted to being used to decorate windows, furniture, lanterns, and more. The art of paper cutting entails physically cutting pieces of paper and formatting various designs with those cuts. This art style is also known as scherenshnitte, in German, and découpage, in French. 
Displayed in the art gallery are sculptures depicting ten of the twelve animals of the zodiac. In Chinese culture these animals are believed to influence a person’s personality, career, fortune, compatibility, and more. Harrington took these famous animals and turned them into artistic pieces of paper cut and resin, hanging proudly on the wall.
Although there are a few pieces of art created solely using monotype, an art style in which an impression is made on paper from a previously drawn or painted design– the rest of the gallery contains paper cut images of Harrington herself. Among these, a collection of three hangs beside each other. These three portraits contain the same image of Harrington, the only differences being the colors and the image that is the focal point of the art.
The three images in the trio each contain an object that symbolizes something different in Chinese culture. The first piece shows a mystic knot, which signifies endless rounds of rebirth and attracts good fortune. The second piece shows magpies, which represent good luck and happiness. The final piece shows koi carp which are known to represent fame and wealth.
Over 90 ATU students visited the art exhibit to take a look at Harrington’s pieces. The artwork ranged in price from $75 for the sculptures of the zodiac animals to $1,500 for the larger paper cut pieces. The exhibit will remain open until Feb. 23.
Upcoming pieces that will be showcased in the Norman Hall Art Center Gallery are the Game and Interactive Media Design Senior Showcase from Feb. 28- March 13, the Graphic Design Senior Showcase from March 27- April 19, and the Fine Arts Senior Showcase from April 15-30.
For more information or questions concerning upcoming exhibits contact Gallery Director Kris Waid- Jones at [email protected] or visit their website at www.atu.edu/art.
