Western Illinois University Art Professor Duke Oursler will have his solo exhibition, "Rural Route 1", on display October 1 through November 8 at the Western Illinois University Art Gallery. 

A reception for the artist will be held Tuesday, October 29, 4:30-6:00 pm The artist will speak about his work at 5:00 pm.

Duke Oursler is a sculptor originally from rural southwest Kansas. Born the son of an oil pumper, his upbringing in a conservative Catholic culture allowed him to visit many large Catholic churches. As a young man, he was enthralled with much of the art that he would see in the cathedrals.  He was specifically struck by the high relief stations of the cross exhibited at Saint Dominic’s Church in Garden City, Kansas. As Duke pursued his art career, he ran away from the archaic and strict rules of his raising exploring abstract and nonrepresentational sculptural works only to find that these works would often act as metaphors for stories told to him by his father and relatives. Focusing on writing and creating narratives, Duke has begun to illustrate stories that reference his rural blue-collar heritage. His recent body of work focuses on the virtues and vices of rural America. 

Admission is free and open to the public. 
Parking will be allowed near that gallery starting at 4:00 pm.

Image: Pushing Mud, 2024, wood and found objects, 45 x 31 in.