New works by well-known Wichita artists marry the couple’s talents

After nearly 30 years of marriage and independently creating several well-known works in Wichita and elsewhere, Connie and John Ernatt have married their art talents to produce their first collaborative works.

At an art opening Friday evening, Oct. 24, at The Diver, the couple’s art studio and gallery at 424 S. Commerce, the Ernatts will unveil the 14 pieces that they’ve worked on together for the past 18 months.

Nearly all were done in a vertical format, measuring about 13 inches wide and 80 inches tall, and combine John’s painting with Connie’s signature bronze chimpanzee sculptures and found objects.

The exhibition, called “The Collaboratives,” will also include independent paintings and sculptures by John and Connie.

The exhibition is their first in Wichita in 10 years, the Ernatts said. They’ve had other joint exhibitions during that time outside of Wichita, including a well-received exhibition at Lindsborg’s Birger Sandzen Museum.

Both Ernatts have individual work that is prominently displayed around Wichita.

Connie created the beloved Wichita Troll, a 7-foot sculpture that hides out in a drain near the Keeper of the Plains, and she brought local artist Wade Hampton’s drawing of WuShock to life with an 8-foot bronze sculpture in front of the YMCA on the Wichita State campus.

In mid-October, Botanica unveiled Connie’s massive dragon sculpture that stretches across a wall in its Chinese Garden of Friendship.

John, who considers himself foremost as a painter, also has public art on display. He created The Attendant, 1923, sculpture on display in Botanica, and designed the gates to Wichita’s McAfee Pool. He was also one of the founders of the Fisch Haus artists’ collective in 1990, which helped develop Commerce Street’s art district.

The timing just felt right for the artists to combine their talents, the Ernatts said, particularly as they worked through shared grief over the death of one of John’s uncles. The uncle, Michael Walker, had embraced creativity in his own work as a window display designer in New York City and was a prolific collector and supporter of the Ernatts’ work. His small house in Wichita reflected his ability to create interesting spaces, they said.

“The truth of the matter is the idea of just working alone didn’t feel all that fun at the time,” John said. “I work in one corner of the building and Connie works in the other, and it just sounded like fun.”

“To creatively work together,” Connie said, finishing his sentence.

“And I was interested in just doing a little more of a modern, simplified feel of just dealing with line, shape, texture or elements,” Connie said.

In Connie’s individual works, she usually casts her bronze chimpanzees as metaphors that convey in-depth layers of dark comedic narratives.

Their close familiarity with each other’s creative processes and their similar “sensibilities … as far as what we look for in successful artwork,” as John described it, helped them collaborate on the new works.

“Some of them came together really quickly, and others, we really struggled,” Connie said.

“I would do something to the piece, and then Connie would do something,” John said.

“We would go back and forth,” Connie added.

Among John’s favorite pieces is one with a yellow background and a small chimp sitting atop the piece, holding a plumb line and bob. Another is the first piece they created, with John painting a dark, moody background with a cream-colored line running through the center. The painted line is interrupted with Connie’s addition of an inset chimpanzee holding a similar-colored fabric ribbon.

One of Connie’s favorites is a piece that depicts a 3D tornado-like sculpture with huddled chimps taking shelter in a box.

Besides the free art opening from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24, the exhibition will also be open to the public during the First Friday art crawls on Nov. 7 and Dec. 5. Private shows may be arranged by calling 316-258-2442. The new collection is on view in The Diver’s second-floor gallery space, which is accessible by stairs only.

Opening reception for John and Connie Ernatt’s ‘The Collaboratives’ exhibition

What: an exhibition of the first collaborative works by the Ernatts, who are well known for their individual pieces, and their first Wichita exhibition in 10 years

When: 6:30-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24

Where: The Diver art studio and gallery, 424 S. Commerce St.

Admission: Free

More info: facebook.com/events/1486692962374195/, 316-258-2442