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SAAH DIRECTOR'S ART EVOKE'S NOSTALGIA

Sarah Gjertson, associate professor and newly-elected director of the School of Art and Art History, has always loved working with her hands and making things. When it comes to her art, she absorbs ways of thinking and making that communicate a human experience in ways that words often fall short. Objects and materials of various mediums are her tools to trigger a sense of nostalgia, recognition or personal experience in her work.

"My work is heavily influenced by the mediums that speak most clearly to the concepts I wish to explore. I do not have an allegiance to any particular medium," said Gjertson. "Very often, there is a specific and direct connection between the idea I wish to explore and the medium that is chosen to convey that idea. This has included everything from military issue fabrics, liquid make-up, antique vibrators, discarded wedding dresses and Super 8 film."

Two of Gjertson's recent solo exhibitions, "Parlor Project" and "Married With Children...Or Not," were thematic in nature where she explored a specific direction using several different mediums.

"'Parlor Project' explored the waning culture of small neighborhood beauty parlors and their clientele. Photography and video were used to capture the weekly practice of a generation of women, with sculptural works and found objects that respond to that history and experience," Gjertson said.

"In the course of the 'Parlor Project' being on view, one visitor told me that she thought my work was beautiful, thought provoking, and reminded her of her grandmother. While she was tearing up a bit, she gave me a hug and thanked me. I was incredibly touched."

Gjertson has an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has taught at DU since 2002. She enjoys instilling confidence in her students and pushing them to challenge themselves beyond limitations they unknowingly set for themselves. "Nothing is more gratifying than a student being proud of their work, especially when it has taken them beyond self-imposed limits," she said.

As an avid skydiver, Gjertson knows about pushing beyond self-imposed limits.

"While many may consider this activity a sport for the reckless and adrenalin-junkie types, it's one of the most amazing things I've ever done. I have around six hundred jumps, and while that may seem like a lot, it's just the beginning of a lifetime of learning skills that translate into an incredible shared human activity," Gjertson said.

"Nothing is more beautiful than sharing a sunset in the sky with your friends. I'm pretty sure it's changed me at a molecular level, for the better. The sport has taught me how to more deeply appreciate the people and things I have in my life, while simultaneously reminding me to play and try to keep things in balance."

Gjertson has been director of the School of Art and Art History (SAAH) since July. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day functioning of SAAH, she supports all aspects of the faculty's teaching and the students' learning opportunities.

"I see myself as an ambassador for the arts overall, driven to remind 'naysayers' of the value of art, its necessary contribution to culture, and its ability to instill the very human and marketable skills of critical thinking, creative problem solving, leadership and voice," she said.

View Gjertson's "Parlor Project" featured on Denver's 9-News.