University Daily Kansan / Friday, March 10, 1989
Arts/Entertainment
7
Mixture of art and science brings out a creative spirit in professor of engineering
by Christine Winner Kansan staff writer
Yin and yang. Peanut butter and jelly. Art and science.
For Robert Zerwek, Lawrence artist and KU professor of mechanical engineering, art and science complement each other and are themes that have threaded their way throughout his life. It started when he was a child.
"He was always interested in model planes," said his mother, Baz Beerkewen, from home in Peoria, Ill. "but instead of buying kits, he drew up his own plans and made them out of orange crates."
The mix of art and science continued when he was an undergraduate at the University of Missouri-Rolla, where he drew cartoons for the student newspaper and the grind of engineering studies.
On Feb. 25, Zerwekh's, "Time Pieces," an exhibit to celebrate his 50th birthday, opened at the Lawrence Arts Center, 200 W. Ninth St. He spent about a year preparing his work and setting for the show, which will be at the center through March 18.
Ann Evans, director of the center, said the center accepted Zerwekh's application for the exhibit because the quality of his work deserved recognition.
"He's basically an amateur artist, but he's a very fine amateur artist," she said. "People really admire the fact that a professional can be this good at a bobby."
Zerwekh said. "I want people to appreciate it at whatever level they can — to enjoy the technique, the humor, the subject matter or whatever."17
"I want people to appreciate it at whatever level they can — to enjoy the technique, the humor, the subject matter or whatever,"
He said he sometimes laughed while working on one of the exhibition's paintings, "Solutions to the Problem of 50." It shows a child's math assignment, and all the problems involve the number 50. The teacher's comments are written on the assignment in red
"I had to take on the mindset of a bored kid in study hall would do," he said.
ink. The desk is carved with student doodlings, including the initials "RFZ MAB" (His wife's name happens to be Marilyn).
'Fool the eye'
His painting technique has been influenced by a variety of 19th century painters, especially William Michael Harnett, who used the trope l'eil (fool the eye) technique.
He said a painting might take anywhere from eight to 100 hours. He sketches from memory and usually doesn't set up props to use in the painting or shadow in the painting that might be difficult to reproduce.
"I'm fascinated by the detail — capturing it and making it work," Zerwekh said.
Besides being an artist and an engineering professor, Zerwek is an associate vice chancellor for graduate studies and public service.
She is familiar with his art and doesn't think it incompatible with his other careers.
Frances Horowitz, vice chancellor for research, graduate studies and public service, said that his attention to detail was an important quality that he brought to his job in Strong Hall.
"Art is a product that helps us see the world in a new way," Horowitz said. "There is a lot of creativity in engineering. Engineers are always creating new things."
Zerwekh said that his colleagues were supportive of his art.
"The they are intrigued by the idea that I have this pastime," he said. "Actually, my colleagues have bought a lot of my work."
Sitting in his studio in the basement of his home, Robert Zerwekh, Lawrence artist, describes those who influenced his painting.
Early riser
hangs on the wall opposite his desk, and his three sons smile from framed photos on top of the file cabinet.
His office in Strong Hall is sparse, with papers scattered across his desk, but in almost neat stacks. An airplane calendar
Family obligations dominate the weekends, but he still finds time to take brush in hand. Most of his paintings are on canvas between 5 and 7 a.m., with the music of Brahms playing in the background.
playing in the backyard. He started painting seriously in the early '70s, and his work has appeared in more than 75 exhibitions. But he never considered art as a career.
Painting is long a tradition in the Zerwekk family. His mother, 79, is a professional artist, and his grandmother, 102, teaches the walls of his living room and studio are covered with their works.
"It's a nice outlet for self-expression." he said.
Bea Zerwekh said that her son's great-grandfather also painted "I know he (Robert) was inspired by my painting and the rest of the family. He used to draw pictures of plants, where the engine is, the motor would be cut in half to show the parts.
"My mother, grandmother and aunt were always dabbling in some sort of art," he said. "I can remember art groups meeting at our house."
He said he didn't let them mess with the oils in the studio because some were toxic, but they did play with pastels, acrylies and water colors. On one wall of his studio hangs a 1-foot-by-2-foot poster announcing "Robbie's Gallery."
parts:
"I think he's great, but I might be a little prejudiced because I'm his mother."
The family tradition continues. Zerwek's history is not off-limits to his sons Mikey, 6, Richie, 8, and Robbie, 12.
Next generation
One of Robbie's works shows a Boston Red Sox player swinging his bat. In another, fighter planes are in a dogfight.
These aren't the only planes in the studio. A model is suspended
And above the stereo is a shelf crowded with more model planes.
But he has no plans to grow out of painting. And he encourages his engineering students to cultivate other interests.
Other toys, such as trains and building blocks, sometimes find their way into his paintings. "It's the influence of having kids, like 'As they grow up,' I probably grow out of my toy phase too."
from the ceiling, dangling a couple of feet above the sheet of glass on which he mixes his paint.
"The trend is toward specialization." he said. "It's a real struggle for college students to develop a diverse set of interests. Students gain a very high level of competence in a certain area at the expense of other subjects. I think that is unfortunate."
Zerwekh's paintings are on exhibit at the Lawrence Arts Center.
C A L E N D A R
FRIDAY
NBC gives new Rona Barrett show 2-week tryout
The Midwestern Trombone Workshop continues through Saturday in Muroh Hall.
■ The University Dance Company will perform the ballet "Les Patineurs" (The Skaters) at 8 p.m. in Cratton Prairie Theater. All seats are reserved. Call Murphy Hall box office for tickets, which are $6 for the public, $5 for senior citizens and $4 for KU students.
The bands The Soul Side, Fire Party, Fidelity Jones and Kill Whitey will play at 9 p.m. at the Outhouse, four miles east of Massachusetts Street on 15th Street. The cost is $5 for all ages. No alcohol permitted.
MONDAY
■ "Fantastic Adventures," a workshop for children in first grade through sixth grade, will begin Monday and continue through Friday at the Lawrence Community School in New Hampshire. The workshop is called "School's Out! Theatre's" in program and includes acting, stories, pantomime and crafts.
The Associated Press
Guests include Jill Eikenberry, Christine Lahte, Sherry Lansing, Ann Jilian, Valerie Harper, Malcolm Forbes, Debbie Allen, Sandy Dun
Barrett is host of "At Rona S," which NBC is giving a 10- show tryout this week and next. It runs through March 17.
LOS ANGELLES — Rona Barrett is out to discover whether she and three guests can sit around the dining-table and have a conversation that other people will want to listen in on.
can, Michael Tucker, Fred Dryer,
Geraldo Rivera and Kitty Kelley,
among others.
"We're putting all kinds of people together, not just show business celebrities, to see what kind of a mix works best," Barrett said. "Men and women, all women, we all with men. We'll tape it at my desk, so I also shows a day. We'll serve real meals, so I guess I'll put on 10 pounds, so I guess I'll put on 10 pounds."
public.
"I'll participate in the conversa-
tions, but I won't ask questions. This is
to go to be a one-on-one. We're
hoping we can spark some conversations and that people will react to each other. We know it works as a special, but we wanted to see if the concept will work every day."
It's the first TV appearance Barrett has made, other than a stint on CNN as a substitute host on "Larry King Live," since she left 'Entertainment Tonight' in 1986. She had also been an entertainer for NBC and "Tomorrow" and before that for AABC's "Good Morning America."
tried as a special for "Entertainment
This Week." Her guests were Oprah
Wintrey, Dyan Cannon and Mariette
Hartley.
harrison.
The guests for the show will come from entertainment, sports, politics and business.
"We'll start when the people arrive and we serve coffee." Barrett said. "We'll say hello and get acquainted. Like any interview, it takes time for people to warm up."
people to warn him. Barrett said she had encountered some difficulties putting the show together.
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