The Upper Peninsula art scene is seeing a significant cross-county collaboration this month as Kate Oman, the long-time Gallery Director of the Bonifas Arts Center in Escanaba, steps into the spotlight at Marquette’s Zero Degrees Gallery. As part of the gallery’s Visiting Artist Series, Oman is presenting a collection that reflects both her professional evolution and her personal journey.
Having spent ten years surrounded by the work of others at the Bonifas, Oman has utilized her position to learn and experiment. She credited the artists she works with daily as major influences on her own creative output, noting that her current show features techniques she mastered through classes at her own center, including cold wax and encaustic pieces.
Although she is often the person who organizes the exhibits, Oman expressed a sense of humility about becoming the featured artist. For someone who usually identifies as a photographer comfortable behind the lens, she described the experience of being the center of attention as both an honor and a significant shift in perspective.
Oman’s work has long been characterized by a fascination with the "gritty and industrial." This aesthetic, which began in her childhood while photographing rusty car parts, remains a consistent theme in her adult life. She continues to find beauty in aged, weathered objects, revitalizing them through photography and upcycled sculpture with an infusion of vibrant color.
The exhibit also serves as an exploration of her mental health. Following a recent ADHD diagnosis, Oman realized that her tendency to jump between various mediums and projects was a defining trait of her creative process. She described the show as a reflection of her internal world—a multifaceted and occasionally overwhelming display that serves as a visual autobiography.
Public Radio 90's Kurt Hauswirth spoke with Oman and Visiting Artist Series Coordinator and artist Marc Himes via phone:
A reception for Kate Oman takes place Saturday, May 9th, from 1-4 pm at the gallery, located at 525 North Third Street in Marquette.
Visit zerodegreesgallery.org for more information.
