November 29th, 2008 through January 9th, 2009
Opening Reception November 29th 6:00 – 11:00pm

Currently teaching in Decatur, Illinois with a permanent home in Ely, Minnesota artist Andy Messerschmidt comes to Minneapolis to construct an exhibition that challenges traditional assumptions of art.

Housing Andy’s modern-day collaged shrines/altars, the Gallery at Fox Tax becomes a church of the aesthetic through January 9th, 2009.

This will be Andy’s first solo exhibit in Minneapolis.

“Objectifying painting by transforming it into a shrine or altar is my focus.  These are paintings that are to be gazed at, not as in the case of most square paintings resembling that of the window or door – something to be gazed through.  Square paintings are a lens.  With the lens or the window the viewer is reduced to a flat-out scientific, formal dissector or a voyeur.  Of no concern to me is what is actually going on in the painting.  These paintings are to be viewed upon as objects much like the altar or shrine.” Andy Messerschmidt

Andy received his MFA from the University of Minnesota and has since exhibited around the world, including Japan, Germany, Hawaii, California, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and New York.  Andy is currently represented by gallery Plan-Space, out of NY, NY.  He has exhibited in the MN Biannual held at the MMAA in 2007 and 2005. He lives in rural Ely, Minnesota.