By Camille Adams, A&E Writer
Art students proudly showed their work on the opening day of the Senior Art Exhibition on April 24.
Students conceived and planned the display, which took three weeks to set up in Ingram Hall, many months before.
“I spent upwards of 100 hours on each of my [two] pieces,” senior Mimi Granlund said. “It was a labor of love.”
The exhibition, called “Unfiltered,” featured a variety of art forms arranged throughout the University Gallery. Styles ranged from digital and archival prints and functional sculptures to photography and costume design.
Artwork surrounded the viewer from unexpected spots, as three-dimensional pieces were suspended from the ceiling or placed throughout the exhibit, providing a space for viewers to move throughout and interact with the art.
Two-dimensional art, such as photographs and paintings, tastefully surrounded the viewer along the walls.
The entire exhibit was bright, cheerful and abuzz with the light chatter of supportive friends and family. Many Pacific Lutheran University faculty members attended the event to show their support.
“This showing has a completely different feeling than the one last winter,” Adrianne Jamieson, administrative and communications specialist, said.
Jamieson’s sister, senior art student Danielle Cryer, was one of the many students whose art was in the exhibit.
“I am really impressed with all of the talent on display,” Jamieson said. PLU President Thomas Krise and his wife Patty were also present.
Each piece of artwork featured a blurb from the student artist about the intention of the piece and the inspiration behind it.
Pieces were motivated by ideas of human behavior, fear, major life events and modern ideas of self, among others.
Granlund said she wanted her work to play with the perception of dimensions. Her “Nude #4” features a collection of glass jars filled with various amounts and colors of sand.
This produces a silhouette, which at first, distant glance may appear to be a two-dimensional painting but upon closer examination is a three-dimensional work.
Granlund’s second piece, “Altering Perspective,” reverses the viewpoint, as three-dimensional paper images emerge from a two-dimensional paper and ink drawing.
The Senior Art Exhibition was a time to recognize the hard work of the soon-to-be graduates, but also to inspire and inform future artists.
“I love seeing all of these good ideas, like the third dimension sculptures,” first-year art student Sarah Henderson said. “To see how people interact with each piece is part of the art.”
As the seniors look forward to graduation and entering the work force, they can see the fruits of their years of effort.
“I am very excited and relieved to have the show together,” Granlund said. “It is so great to be able to celebrate as a class.”
“Unfiltered” is open for viewing in the Ingram Aer Gallery through May 25.
