DeKALB | The NIU Art Museum’s Fall Sculpture Exhibition series is already underway. Out of the three exhibits featuring sculpture for more modest, everyday purposes, “On the Body and In the Hand” features small pieces intended to be worn or held.

The exhibit, which features works by recent NIU alumni with either a BFA or MFA in Metalwork & Jewelry, will be curated by Jamie Obermeier, Assistant Professor of Metals and Jewlery. The objects featured include rings, sculptures, wire figurines, toy cars and other visually-appealing objects. Assistant Director Pete Olson observed the differences between this exhibit and other pieces one might typically come across in the the world of scuplture.

“This is much more of a refined concept,” said Olson.

“On the Body and in the Hand” is likely to cause viewers to reshape their expectations about pieces featured at a metalwork and jewelry exhibit. The sculptures on display do not appear to fit into one type of metal or jewelry work; instead, they seem to integrate a variety of artistic methods.

“There’s also a creativity and concept behind them — they’re not just jewelry pieces,” said Olson. These sculptures occupy four cases in the Hall Case Galleries. The exhibit’s small-scale nature ended up working perfectly for these cases.

“It was a way for us to display them in an intimate setting,” said Olson. While the exhibition opened Tuesday, the opening reception will be held on Thursday, Sept. 8 from 4:30-6 p.m. Artist talks will follow from 6-8 p.m. The exhibition will run until October 29.