Artist Abby Lundebrek stands next to the largest, and most complex piece in her “Texture of Emotion” exhibit. The piece took seven months to make and features painted and sculpted relief elements.

NEW ULM – The Grand Center for Arts and Culture is exploring the connection between lines and emotion with the latest art gallery exhibit.

The Grand hosted the open house for the new gallery show from Abby Lundebrek titled “Texture of Emotion.”

Lundebrek has previously exhibited pieces at The Grand as part of MSU’s installation series, but this was her first gallery show as a solo artist. Each piece featured in the show was created by Lundebrek over the last year specifically for this show.

Lundebrek said the theme’s was lines and connections.

“We are all just shapes made up of mathematical lines,” she said. Her pieces are intended to explore how the organic line is expressed and how it can connect people together with nature and even the industrial.

“I am attracted to organic forms that derive from nature and human anatomy intersected with man-made objects and precisely made architecture,” She said in her artists statement. “Finding connections between expression, emotion, and the billions of lives that surround me and the way we all feel and live.”

Lundebrek began her art career as a sculptor, but changed medium following her father’s open heart surgery. She said during that time she was unable to get into the art studio to sculpt, but could bring canvases and paint anywhere.

Lundebrek now describes herself as a relief artists. Much of her work has a textured or tactile feel to it, even the two-dimensional canvases. The largest piece in the exhibit combines painted canvas with some three-dimensional elements.

Lundebrek said this relief canvas took seven months to create. The 3D elements were made using wire and other materials. She said creating a stable piece was one of the greatest challenges.

Lundebrek said with each piece she tried to imbue different symbolism, but was reluctant to explain the meaning behind the individual works. She preferred to let everyone interpret the piece in their own way.

“I want people to have their own moment with the pieces,” she said. “Art can do so many things but it can also offer people a moment of relief.”

One of the overarching themes of the exhibit was connection. Lundebrek wanted viewers to connect with the work how they seem fit.

Many of the pieces feature images of the human form, but all are created in a subtle or abstract way. Lundebrek made a choice to never use traditional flesh tones when painting skin. The human forms in her work are often blue, orange, red or green.

“It is more expressive that way,” she said.

The “Texture of Emotion” exhibit will be on display at the Grand’s 4 Pillars Gallery through Friday, June 28.

The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.