Tongue+Groove

Lisa Lofgren in collaboration with Matt Erickson at Catiche Gallery of St. Ambrose University on view March 23 – April 24, 2026.

Exhibition Statement 

Tongue+Groove culls through artists Lisa Lofgren’s and Matt Erickson’s archive of shared studios, shared conversations, and shared lives over the last 15 years. Collaboration will loosely be defined as there are many degrees by which the artists work together: “stealing” each other’s works for revisions or additions; grouping individually made works together; or making work side by side. 

Matt states, “I found my positive. This show is a collaboration in Love, Relationship, Art, Life or as I feel it – all the same thing. Working with a past and present, hers and mine, we assembled these pieces in our shared spaces as they happened. A show or gallery, to me, is no time factor. I let art happen as it wants and that is what you see here. In the grand sense they are all in progress; so are we.” 

Lisa’s interest in the readymade is heavily influenced by Matt’s studio practice. Her primary medium of printmaking (works on paper) is now playing a secondary role to the constructions in which they are incorporated. The use of wood working and joinery pays tribute to evolving home renovations in their 1854 building. The use of mortise and tenon, tongue and groove, dovetail and finger joints are a direct analogy to the body, the whole made by equal yet opposite parts, and the strength of the bond. 

A closing reception will include conversation with Lisa and Matt on April 24 from 4-6 p.m. followed by a No Below Editions performance at Rozz-Tox Cafe starting at 8 p.m. ($10 door, 2108 3rd Ave, Rock Island, IL 61201).