Brian Alves’s piece “Diversity” is gesso and ink on book pages on clipboards 70” x 55”

Identity is the theme of Rhode Island artist Brian Alves’s show titled “Alternate States of Being” on exhibit through Saturday, Dec. 19, in the Linda Hummel-Shea ArtSpace in the Harold Bentley Library on Northern Essex Community College’s Haverhill campus, 100 Elliott St. The exhibit includes large, mixed media pieces including works with gesso and ink.

The artist reception will be held Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Alves, who has taught for more than 17 years, is currently an associate professor of Interactive Multimedia in Salem State University’s Art & Design department; previously he was chair of the Department of Design at Johnson & Wales University’s School of Engineering & Design. He has also been an exhibiting installation artist, graphic designer, art director, museum technician, and gallery curator.

Alves’s “Bi-polar” is mixed media on Board 36” x 48” .

“Cultural, social and emotional identity fascinates me. Though often implicit, this theme returns to my work again and again as acts of self-expression… At root, my work manifests a desire to make oneself known – in a philosophical sense – to self and others. And perhaps to make others reflect – and even smile – at their own perceptions of identity,” he says.

Alves holds a Master of Fine Arts in Intermedia & Video Art from the University of Iowa and a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Arts from Bradford College.

“In my work you will find equal parts children and monsters, whimsy and earnestness, idea and form, paint and found object,” he says. “My form and medium vary to accommodate my ideas… I find myself frequently influenced by objects …such as textbooks, chalkboards, museum didactic panels and scientific journals.”

The ArtSpace is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Fridays from 8 to 4:30 p.m.

The Exhibit is sponsored by the NECC Art & Design Department.

The Northern Essex’s Department of Art & Design offers many courses in fine art and design leading to an Associate Degree in General Studies: Art.

For additional information contact Patricia Kidney, Chair, Arts & Design Department, at pkidney@necc.mass.edu or Marc Mannheimer, Gallery Coordinator mmannheimer@necc.mass.edu