The Brookhaven Campus held its annual Spring Visual Art Faculty & Staff Group Exhibitions, titled “I, Object.” The reception for the exhibition was held on April 16, at which the guests had the chance to look, hear and ask questions about the art by the artist themselves. Each staff member explained the behind the scenes of the creation of their artwork. The gallery was held in room F102 from March 24-May 2.
A total of seven staff members showed up during the exhibition to represent and speak about their pieces. Each staff entry had up to two pieces submitted, depending on whether the two pieces complimented each other. Different mediums were used in each piece, such as painting, pottery, glass, carving and metal work.
The exhibition gave a whole other perspective about the staff at Brookhaven. At the beginning of the exhibition, Gallery Coordinator Jarod Villalon said, “It’s another thing to fully experience what they do outside of the classroom.” The gallery allowed students to witness how skillful staff on campus can be.
“I was once a student at Brookhaven, this is my home. So, I like to share these things with [students],” Arthur Fields, a photography professor, said. His participation involved two pieces, both flowers. The first piece is a vibrant pink flower drawn and painted on paper, and the second a wilted metal flower made of copper.
At a deeper glance, Field’s explanation about the idea of the art comes to life. “Things get old, and discarded, there’s still beauty left in those items,” Fields said.
“This is me bridging my spiritual side at work,” Anne Lebednik, an arts and humanities professor, said. The piece was made of natural tree bark, and bronze to create an owl sitting under tree bark.
Lebednik explained how it began with owls appearing in their dreams and reality. Then a couple months ago, during a training refresher from their manager, Lebednik was given a chunk of wax and was told to carve something; then at that moment
Lebednik knew to carve an owl out of the wax. After many months of working, they stopped once they felt like any more details or additions would dampen the artwork.
This would continue throughout the entire exhibition, each artist would explain the meaning behind their art, all except one staff member.
“I don’t explain my work, I categorically will not do that, it’s offensive to me,” David Newman, a printmaking and fine arts photography professor, said. However, Newman happily answered questions about what references he used, tips for other artists and the process he went through while creating his work.
Newman’s art featured noticeable things such as two fingers, a tea bag silhouette showing an eye and eyebrow of a face.
Each art piece is better seen in person, as the artwork itself tells a story. Although the exhibit is over, students can keep up with future exhibits through following DallasCollegegalleries on Instagram or keeping an eye out for flyers on campus.
