Sacramento State Art Department Award Show

Sacramento State's Art Department held a wonderful award show that featured artists and art historians alike. Certificated for competitions and scholarships were awarded to a number of students. To accompany this show, one of the wonderful galleries on campus, the Else gallery, is housing the works submitted. I was extremely impressed with the student works that were submitted. The content, medium, size, and impact is extremely diverse considering the small number of works presented. I will admit that I struggled with the fact that there was no available guide that I could find that would let me know the title and artist of the pieces. I assume that was for anonymity while the pieces were being judged.

Artist Unknown

Robert Arneson Chemo II

I very much enjoyed this piece. I like the broken almost decayed form. The disconnected appendage adds to the feeling of dissonance that I received from this piece. I also really loved the blue green coloring. Its an extremely beautiful color that kind of reminds me of a patina on bronze. Now that I am thinking about it, the coloring also brings to mind the feeling of just being worn. It brought to mind Robert Arneson's Chemo II in the way that it feels anguished and/or stressed. There is also the presence of missing or ruined body parts. It feels like they could both be apart of the same story line with the first piece taking place before Arneson's Chemo II.  Both Arneson and this artist's pieces tell a very personal story. I am a really big fan of Arneson's work and although I am unsure as to whether or not he is a source of inspiration for this artist, I was happy to feel a familiar connection. I just really felt connected to this piece. My only wish would be to see it in more monumental scale. I have very little knowledge about the inner workings of sculpture so I find that when I see works that I really like, it sends me into a state of confusion trying to figure of the physics of how it works.

Artist Unknown

This was another piece that I really liked. I loved the soft blushing tones that make up the background. I imagine the subject of this painting must be elated with the finished product of this because it is incredibly flattering and realistic. The light source also creates a really dynamic shadowing of the face.

Artist Unknown

One thing that I really liked about the piece above is the layering of everything. I like that there is no escape into perspective. Everything is upfront and present. This is a very fun and entertaining piece for me. This seems somewhat whimsical to me and I appreciated that!

Artist Unknown (FEAT. ME!)

I am just in general very impressed by the art students at Sacramento State. The show was professional and inviting. The art was beautiful and diverse. The food provided was also incredibly delicious which is important to me. I can't wait to see more student works.