niversity of Utah students get the chance to show their art at the Student Art Show, organized by the U’s Art and Art History department. The show opens today and features around 54 works of art produced by various art students.

The show not only displays various works of art, but will also award students for the pieces displayed. Although the U put on the exhibit for the students, the department was quite selective in choosing what would be displayed and awarded. The department called for entries from art students, allowing each student to enter no more than three pieces of art. The featured works range from paintings to sculptures to photographs. There is realism right next to abstract pieces—everything featured is different, but nearly equal in individual talent.

The students who were chosen to exhibit their art in the show went through a highly competitive process of elimination. The department chose Seattle-based artist Norman Lundin to be the judge of the contest. He was the sole juror of this contest, but he has exceptional experience in art. Lundin had nearly 300 works by U student to choose from. Of the hundreds of submitted entries, only around 54 were chosen to be displayed.

The opportunity to be displayed in the student art show is an awesome one for the students selected. Not only will they be awarded for their works, but they have various individuals throughout the art community see and recognize their work.

Looking at the pieces as they were being arranged for the show, I was quite impressed with the talent of the students. Most of the exhibits that I write about are ones that feature older artists who have experienced many art shows and have gone through the motions.

The various works within the show caused me to wonder if there was a particular theme. I do not believe that there is one, as each piece stems from a different individual. Some students, however, are featured more than once. Jay Henrie has three works featured, which is most certainly a success considering that he could only enter three pieces. My favorite photograph is a silver print by Henrie titled “Masks #2.” This piece features a ceramic mask that is positioned at an interesting angle, but reflects light and beauty from the mask. I was really drawn to the photograph, mainly for its simplistic beauty.

Painful emotions of sadness stir within the heart of the viewer when beholding Kendra Brooks’ untitled photograph of an elderly couple. The woman is lying in a bed, hospitalized, with her eyes clothed and her mouth open in an expression of desperate pain. Her husband stands next to her, gazing down at her with a look of fear and sadness and holds her hand with his own aged and wrinkled hand.

Michelle Buhler is another student on display who submitted intriguing photographs. I was drawn to an ambiguous photograph by Buhler that features a girl looking out a window that is covered with raindrops. The girl looks sad, but it is not a certain expression, so it allows the viewer to stare at the photo and really wonder what it is that the girl in the photograph is feeling. The most beautiful aspect of this photograph is the fact that one of the raindrops is trickling down the window, which is the spot to where the girl’s cheek is nearest. This creates an illusion of crying. Maybe she is crying, maybe it’s a raindrop—it is entirely ambiguous, but perfect for the picture.

Jonathan Hale’s ink-on-plexi piece titled “Odonata” features a single dragonfly. It is very simplistic, yet large and catches the eye of the viewer. Its dark color is rather dull in comparison to the bright colors that encircle the room, but it calms the atmosphere down and reminds the viewer to find beauty in simple, naturalistic things.

Overall the student exhibit is very impressive. It is quite refreshing to see such wonderful art and know that it is produced by students at the U. Fellow students should support their peers and visit the gallery. If nothing more than to appreciate the talent that these individuals possess by giving them recognition for their hard work and outstanding achievements. Congratulations to the winners of the show. I encourage all to view it.

The Student Art Show will run from April 17 through May 2, 2003 at the Alvin Gittins Gallery in the Art and Architecture building.
autumn@red-mag.com