Line drawing, especially how Bowlby practices it here, is one of the most basic and accessible forms of visual art. It takes a certain knack to employ it conceptually, and Bowlby quite impressively does so here. Of course, her project has benefited from some inspiration. In her studio, she keeps a copy of the influential children's book Harold and the Purple Crayon (among others by Silverstein and Dr. Seuss), and texts by the artists Claes Oldenburg, Pierre Alechinsky, and Jean Dubuffet, each influential in 20th century pop and "low" art movements. Depending on your perspective, "Everything" might also provide insights into practice, imagination, differentiation, or visual language. But with such ambitious vision and plainly accessible terms, there are simply tons things this work could be about, and doubtless more will emerge this infinite catalogue of things takes a greater life of its own.

"EVERYTHING," ink and paper installation by Astrid Bowlby | through March 6 | University of Southern Maine — Gorham Art Gallery, 37 College Ave, Gorham | artist talk Feb 1 @ 1 pm | reception Feb 2 @ 2-4 pm | gallery closed Feb 18-24 | 207.780.5008 | usm.maine.edu/gallery

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