Exhibit by Kurt Palmquist

Emergence began with a fascination for three-dimensional geometric forms inspired by architecture and light. Through dimensional wall art, paintings, and digital prints, Kurt Palmquist has developed a visual language that harmoniously connects all of his works. Each piece is intriguing when considered as a whole, but offers endlessly evolving compositions as you look deeper into the work. Careful use of forms and color create spaces that invite the imagination to enter and explore as if they were actual structures.

Lobby Gallery
March 5 – April 23, 2021

Artist Statement

A few years ago, after a career of corporate graphic design, I dusted off my sketch book and began what has become a winding road that has led to some fantastic discoveries, beginning with my fascination of the three-dimensional geometric form inspired by my lifelong passion for architecture and light. Through experimentation, I am discovering a constant evolution of space defined by simple shapes, color, composition and architectural environments that providespace and light, and create compositions of depth and interest.

In the thick of it, I experience both frustration and freedom. So many years of striving and searching, observing andwaiting, seeking that elusive creative inspiration. And now, I find an incredible release and an overwhelming flow of ideas, concepts and creations, all seeking their voice. Everything is an evolution that flows from my sculptures. I zoom in, seeing and creating dichotomies and differences all from the same piece. Energized, I move from digital design to painting to photography, communicating the dynamics of angles, shapes and color.

Striving to find harmony through the forms I create, their combinations and color palettes are critical. I see as a whole or zero in on an area and find a composition within. I develop a visual language, that extends beyond any one piece and translate that language into a variety of mediums. Sometimes it sings, sometimes it mumbles. The shapes and forms combine to create spaces I can imagine walking through as if they were actual structures.

As much as I love creating art for myself, I really enjoy hearing and watching a viewer experiencing my work. Uncovering intricacies that are not evident at first, being surprised or struck by what they are seeing is a huge reward. I’m excited to continue to develop my craft, this is really just the beginning of my evolution. – Kurt Palmquist

Artist Bio

Kurt Palmquist grew up in Helena, Montana in a creative home surrounded by architects, teachers, entrepreneurs, skiers and airplane pilots. This exposure fostered his ‘out of the box’ thinking; after all, developing a skateboard and surfer culture in the 80’s, in Montana, took some big thinking. This was the foundation that led Kurt to explore Architecture and then propelled him towards Graphic Design as a profession, eventually leading him to Fine Art.

Graduating from Montana State University-Bozeman with a BA in Graphic Design, Kurt started his corporate design career in Seattle, Washington in the late 1980’s. However, the mountains called him back in 1990. He and his wife Denise moved back to Montana, settling in Bozeman to be near family and raise their two sons. Establishing themselves as designers, they did what most did at that time; started their own firm. Then the journey began, co- founding and managing their own graphic design and marketing firms. Their work ranged from corporate identity and branding to packaging and comprehensive marketing campaigns for a wide variety of companies. Kurt’s graphicdesign work has been published in a several design annuals and books.

Currently, Kurt serves on the MSU School of Art Advisory Council and has previously taught as an adjunct instructor of Graphic Design at MSU-Bozeman. He is passionate about his art exploration in a variety of materials and dimensions and his desire to pursue this love of art that has been bottled up for many years in the corporate marketing world.

Thank you to the following sponsors for generously supporting this exhibit and our Schools & Seniors in the Gallery Program: