Maria Kammerer and her 8-year-old son pressed their noses against the glass door to the art gallery at Northern Kentucky University. Police weren't letting anyone inside, but through the glass they could see the scene.

        There was Mrs. Kammerer's sculpture — a striking depiction of a partially nude woman shedding a piece of snakeskin — lying in fragments on the ground.

This sculpture by Northern Kentucky University student Maria Kammerer was destroyed March 26. (Photo provided by Maria Kammerer) | ZOOM |

        Mrs. Kammerer had spent a month on the figure, often returning to campus after her children went to bed. The finished piece was selected for NKU's annual juried show of student work.

        Then, last Tuesday, somebody destroyed it.

        “It's OK, Mom,” said Mrs. Kammerer's son as they stood at the door.
       

Personal work

        NKU attracts many older, nontraditional students. Their perspectives lend an edge to the art show, which is worth checking out. Some 200 pieces by 87 students will be on display through 9 p.m. Friday.

        There are sculptures, paintings, photographs and pieces like “Fruits in Bloom,” which defies classification. It consists of models of the human heart hanging on ribbons suspended from the ceiling. If you're not careful and stir up a breeze, you might get clobbered.

        Mrs. Kammerer's ceramic sculpture, “Shedding,” was 4 feet tall. It depicted a nude woman pushing down with her hands at snakeskin around her legs. The woman was attached by steel rods to a base depicting a coiled snake.

        “She kind of has a determined look on her face,” says Mrs. Kammerer, 25.

        It's a look the artist knows well, having started at NKU as a single mom. Then she got married, had a second child and worked at nonprofit agencies, all the while continuing her studies.

        “Shedding” depicted a woman in a similar process of change and rejuvenation. Losing the piece was tough.

        “I'm still in shock,” Mrs. Kammerer says.
       

Motive a mystery

        Last Tuesday evening, witnesses heard a crash and glimpsed three people running away. Did they accidentally knock down the sculpture, or was their motivation more sinister?

        “We've had pieces in the past that were very political or controversial, and we've never had problems with someone outright damaging something because of its content,” says Gallery Director David Knight.

        Censorship indeed seems unlikely. In a strangely comforting way, the show is full of art that pushes the boundaries just as far.

        “Six and A Half Months Neutral” is a painting by Clint Woods of a nude, pregnant woman. And “Ideal,” by Sagan Johnson, is a mannequin-like female figure that's supposed to look broken: Its head, leg and arm are strategically scattered on the floor.

        NKU police are still investigating the destruction of Mrs. Kammerer's piece. Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at (513) 352-3040.

        At NKU, a determined young artist would like to know what happened.

       Karen Samples can be reached at (859) 578-5584 or at ksamples@enquirer.com.
       
       

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