Artist Nicky Ruxton poses with one of her collages now on display at Umpqua Bank for her show “Still Shattered.” The exhibit opened Monday, Sept 5 with a reception planned for Thursday, Oct 11. Artwork will be on display through Friday, Oct. 26. (Courtesy photo)

Staff Report

Nicky Ruxton an improvisational collage artist and writer will be showing her work at Umpqua Bank during the month of October. Ruxton will present over 20 pieces from the original collection called “The Shattering.”

After seven years, Ruxton has taken a departure from designing industrial jewelry and crafting assemblage to expressing herself through collage. “This body of work has much more emotional content than previous works and I feel the narrative is more provocative. This work has become the catalyst for moving my story telling into the world of fiction writing.”

Ruxton hopes that these collages will provoke conversation about difficult subjects.

She said, “The Shattering and now Still Shattered started out as an investigation about the masks people wear, but soon took a deeper turn. The series explores the experiences of women being raised to hide their true identity behind a social mask. I’m interested in how popular culture exploits girls and women by perpetuating myths about what it means to be female.”

The pieces in the show invite viewers to connect with their own personal experiences. Although the body of work is beautifully crafted there is an intentional shadow element that emerges. Ruxton is turning the women in her portraits inside out for us to better recognize our own stories.

Ruxton enjoys both the simplicity and depth she finds in her collage work.

“My tools are paper, scissors, glue and magazines. The process is different from making jewelry. That has a physical aspect that engages me from the outside in,” she said. “These collages come from the inside and work their way out. It creates a more dynamic and meaningful conversation.”

An opening reception will be held on Thursday, Oct 11 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Benicia’s past Poet Laureate; Johanna Ely will perform a reading of her poem Mask written specifically for the collage series. Umpqua Bank is open during regular business hours Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Ruxton’s work will be on display at Umpqua Bank at 1395 E 2nd St. through Friday, Oct. 26. The public is invited and welcome to view the work and attend the artist reception. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, call 650-722-7102 or email nicky@ruxtondesigns.com

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