Quad City Arts
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Louise Rauh 

Louise Rauh was born and raised in Endicott, NY where her art teachers strongly encouraged her to pursue a career in dentistry.  After relocating to Iowa City she developed an interest in fine crafts.  Inspired by the work produced by “local” artists Chunghi Choo and Mary Merckle-Hess, she enrolled in the University of Iowa Fine Arts program where she studied under the guidance of Professor Choo.  She took time off from graduate studies to open a fine art and craft gallery, “Studiolo,” in Iowa City, Iowa with partners John Rauh and Justine Zimmer.  She received her MFA in the spring of 2000, closed the gallery in the summer of 2002, and has been happily creating pieces and involved in exhibitions ever since.  She has participated in many fine craft shows throughout the US including The Smithsonian Craft Show in Washington DC and the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show.  Non-studio time is spent participating in local arts organizations and enjoying time spent with husband John, cats Miles and Billy-Bob, and parrot Saffy, the undisputed queen of the world.

“I keep going back to aluminum.  As a metal artist I find a singular beauty in this material most commonly associated with cooking utensils and the aerospace industry.  The lightness of the metal and clean, nearly white surfaces provide a canvas that allows me to clearly express my personal observations.  Life in transformation, and the forces of nature with inevitable growth, deterioration and regeneration are articulated as seasons and situations pass.  Working with several layers of color on a deeply etched or manually textured surface, I attempt to narrow the perception of delicacy and durability.  My intention is to convey a visual impression of fragility grounded in the inherent strength of the materials used. “

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