FROM NOW UNTIL MARCH 17TH you can stop by NSU’s Lincoln Gallery to see the latest painting series by NSU’s own esteemed Mark McGinnis. This series is called The Cloud Messenger and is adapted from an Indian Sanskrit poem called The Meghadutta by Kalidasa. (c. 400-500 AD). Mark McGinnis found his inspiration for this series through a combination of his travels to India as well as a similar Indian small painting series he had worked on. 

    McGinnis adored the natural world imagery brought up in The Meghadutta and set about capturing what he believed was the essence of the poem through as many different translations as he could find. He worked hard to keep the original thoughts intact without sacrificing modern readability.

    The 90 paintings are small at 81⁄2” by 81⁄2,” and depict a scene from The Meghadutta and each features incredibly intricate decorative borders. The paintings are mounted on muslin scrolls for display. McGinnis hopes to increase interest in India’s culture and literature through this series.

    The exhibit opened to a full house on January 25. It was impressive to see many of McGinnis’s former students on hand to congratulate his recent works. McGinnis was on hand to say a few words about his tenure at NSU, open the exhibit, acknowledge those who helped on the exhibit and to bid farewell to everyone.

    This is the last exhibit for McGinnis as a faculty member of Northern State University as he plans for retirement following the spring semester. He will settle in Hot Springs with his wife  Samantha, and horses.

    Mark McGinnis is true A-List material as he has been an influencer in the hearts and minds of students who come to Aberdeen for NSU’s art program. He will be missed.