Wood ceramics, oil and acrylic on canvas, photos and multimedia artworks were all made by faculty and are currently on display. The differences in media of their artistry showed the diversity of fine art that professors are capable of.
The “Makings” exhibition curated by Dr. Mika Cho, director of the Ronald H. Silverman Fine Arts Gallery, includes the selected works of full-time and adjunct faculty.
According to Dr. Cho, this is the first time in five years that faculty artwork is displayed in the gallery. Prior to this, it was a recurring event that occurred every other year.
“For me, art speaks in many ways,” Cho said. She continued to explain that art is more than the aesthetics, it’s educational.
Oliverio Rodriguez, an assistant professor in the Art Department, who has executed his variety of works throughout the U.S. and internationally, has his artwork displayed in the gallery.
“I think it’s important for students to see what their faculty [is] doing and…that students know that we are artists,” Rodriguez said. “We teach, we care about you all.”
Rebecca Davis, the Art Department chair, said the purpose of the art gallery is to expose students to various art and to “contribute to the educational environment for [the] students.
Davis had her own work displayed, which was an abstract piece knitted from alpaca fleece, wool and other mixed fibers.
The faculty’s hopes came into fruition when the diverse array of pieces drew students to the exhibition.
Stella Luu and Ma Estocado, art students with options in animation, visit the gallery whenever an exhibition is opened.
“A lot of stuff is really small, but it somehow draws my attention,” said Luu.
“I think it’s a good way to see their level of art, cause it’s like ‘Oooh, what [do] our professors do?’” added Estocado.
“[The gallery] is a very accessible space to see art but also… art is being presented at a professional level… it’s an opportunity for [students] to access that,” said Jemima Wyman, an adjunct art professor.
Collecting, printing, observing and analyzing images, connecting the dots and seeing what can be done to make the pieces work as a whole is the process Wyman went through to fulfill her artwork.
“The physical labor…is maybe two to three days,” said Wyman, “but there’s all the thinking… trial and error, [and] cutting,” said Wyman.
The “Makings” exhibition debuted Oct. 7 and will be open until Oct. 30. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m.
