With works of art spanning from Meiley-Swallow Hall to Oesterle Library, the annual senior art show had its reception on May 14. The show this year is titled FOUNDations and it is the culmination of the work of seniors who either have a major or minor in studio art.
Participation in the senior art show is a graduation requirement for all seniors who are involved in the studio art program. Preparation for the show takes place in the form of a class in which seniors learn about the art world outside of college.
“The senior art show is a seminar class that we all participate in,” says Caitlin Norton, a senior art education major. “It talks about the business aspect of art and when you graduate, if you want to find graduate work or go straight in to working in the arts, as well as being the final senior class.”
Just like the show itself, picking the name FOUNDations was a collaborative effort between the artists. “We all thought of it since we all have so many different eclectic styles,” says Norton.
For these artists, the word took on a new meaning. “We felt that FOUNDations meant getting at the roots of how each of us are individually and how that collectively is the foundation of who we are, showcasing our individuality and the commonality between our different styles,” says Norton.
The work showcased in FOUNDations ranges in media, styles and inspirations. Meaghan Green, a senior studio art and English double major, found inspiration in her family history. Green said portraits of her great-great-grandparents, titled Vincent and Anna, are her favorites works she’s contributed to the show.
“Family research and genealogy has always been a hobby of mine and I’ve heard the stories of my ancestors’ emigration from Poland growing up via my grandmother,” says Green. “I decided to represent my great-great-grandparents to the best of my ability and give others a glimpse of their story.”
Green’s family, including her grandmother, came to the reception for support. Vincent and Anna made an emotional impact on Green’s grandmother, as they were her family.
“It was priceless to see my grandma’s reaction to them. Anna and Vince were the ones who raised her and she had tears in her eyes at the reception,” says Green. “I don’t think she’s seen their faces so large and clear since they passed away some fifty years ago. She’s only had tiny, grainy photos to look at since then.”
Aside from her family, Green cites the Romantic era as inspiration for her work. “I use dramatic and slightly unrealistic and surrealistic color choices and settings to re-contextualize my traditional inspiration,” says Green.
The pieces Norton has featured include ink and ceramic works. “I’m largely inspired by the form of the vessel,” says Norton. “I love throwing on the wheel, and the way that my artwork works is I look at the shape of the form and I build off from there. I’m very functional in my work.”
Norton was also inspired by various dualities in nature in her ceramic work, as evidenced in Our Dying Nature, Series 1 and 2.
“In the first series, I have a set of feet and half of them are done in non-food or plant safe glaze work, whereas the others are food and plant safe and I have them as planters,” says Norton. “So it’s showing the duality of how there is living nature, but there is also decaying nature.”
In Our Dying Nature, Series 2, Norton showcases different types of glaze work in order to showcase more dualities in nature.
“My work is partially glazed, so it showcases how in the Great Barrier Reef fifty percent of it is being bleached and it shows how it is still beautifully colored, but is dying,” says Norton. “A lot of my work is inspired by the idea that there is not one story to anything.”
FOUNDations is being shown at Meiley-Swallow Hall and Oesterle Library until June 11th and it showcases the work of Green, Norton, Lauren Denler, Amanda Digweed, Kelly Eberhardt, Sabrina Karas, Grace Morris, Joe Pantaleo, Maddie Snyder, Rin Varga and Stephanie Varga.
