I'm Just Here: Will Baldauf Brings Contemporary Art to Erie

Bradley Ford

Friday, May 10

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Similar to this idea, art is what the viewer makes of it. We all see the world and everything in it differently. No two people are exactly alike. If everything or everyone was the same, it's safe to say we'd live a very boring existence.

In similar fashion, local artist Will Baldauf is bringing something different to the Erie Art Gallery in the form of monochromatic triptychs — abstract paintings in high contrast black-and-white. His first ever solo exhibition is one you don't want to miss. When asked what he's most anticipating about his upcoming show, Baldauf informs, "This is my first solo exhibition so that's reason enough for me to be excited. I guess I'm most looking forward to people's reaction to the show and my work."

Are you curious about what to expect at his exhibition? You should be. "I paint. Exactly what I paint, I like to leave that up to the viewer to decide," explains Baldauf. "There's no comprehensible focus to my work, I create for creation's sake. I don't see it as my place to attach any sort of meaning or emotion to my work, the viewer will always see what the viewer wants to see."

We all have different experiences, and those experiences are what shape us. Baldauf is using his experiences and how he views the world to create his work. In response to what speaks to Baldauf, he enlightens: "Everything and nothing. My work is a reaction to the world around me and my experiences. Specific to artistic technique, I think color and composition make a great painting. At this point in history, I think subject matter is completely irrelevant."

Still trying to imagine what Baldauf's work looks like? I'd say it's fair to quote Baldauf here. "I think to really understand what I'm doing you should come to the gallery and see for yourself." — Kalli Oberlander

7 p.m. to 10 p.m. // Erie Art Gallery, 24 W. 8th St. // erieartgallery.com