Moku-Moths by Ball State Distinguished Art Professor Patricia Nelson
November 5th – 5:00 to 8:00
Gordy Fine Art & Framing is pleased to announce the opening of Moku-Moths, a new exhibition by artist and Ball State University Distinguished Professor of Art Patricia Nelson, opening on Thursday, November 5, 2026. Refreshments will be served, and the public is invited to attend.
In her new body of work, Nelson combines a lifelong fascination with insect anatomy with her mastery of metalwork and enameling. For this show, she employs mokume gane, a traditional 17th-century Japanese technique in which non-ferrous metals like copper and silver are fused into solid blocks called billets, then hammered and carved into sheet, revealing organic, woodgrain-like patterns. Then she invented a method to apply multi-fired vitreous enamel onto these patterned surfaces.
At 6:15 The Artist will give an informal talk about her work where she will describe the method she pioneered to apply vitreous enamel onto the patterned Mokume surfaces.
“I have always been intrigued with the anatomy of invertebrates, especially those possessing exoskeletons,” says Nelson. “Those animals easily inspire intricate metal fabrications. In addition, the surface of patterned mokume has an unpredictable, organic feel that simulates wood bark and, by extension, insect camouflage in an almost uncanny way. I hope I have achieved the feel of a creature that endures through a combination of camouflage for survival plus a brilliant show of color and pattern when attracting a mate.”
The exhibit will be on view through December, 2026, with works for sale in the gallery.