Augie artists in College Invitational May 26-Aug. 28
Carly Davis: Parallel Play, Diptych, 2021, Graphite 22in.x15n.
Matthew and I became fast friends over one summer, and here I memorialized that in two graphite drawings where we passed a guitar back and forth while hiking. These works draw a connection between the two subjects, their object and interpersonal interactions, and their setting. Graphite forces a time commitment and gentleness that makes portraiture intimate and familiar. The choice to reduce contrast and simplify the natural world, instead dedicating detail to the figures, captures the tunnel vision of those shared experiences – what matters most in the moment, and what matters most in memory.
Gray Cunnar: Self 2021, Colored Pencils, Acrylic Paint, 24’’x 18’’
In this piece I took general ideas from my watercolor work and broke the face up into three regions, the forehead with violets, the cheeks with reds, and the chin with greens. Then it was a matter of balancing the colors out with neutral tones while keeping the shades present, providing a sense of change in temperature. The background of the portrait provided a change in texture from waxy to matte, as well as a nod to my other works. As a self portrait I wanted this piece to show not only my face but also my artistic history.
Christopher Ferman: Parallel Dimensions (2021), Medium: Digital
Wanting to give off a sense of duality, I used pixel sorting (The rearranging of pixels by shifting around rows and columns of data.) on a photo I took of a branch. I stitched the sorted and unsorted images together to create a divide between them.
Elizabeth Hord: Cake Jar & “Cups”, 2022, Earthenware Clay, underglaze and Glaze
These are ceramic cakes made with many of the same techniques used to decorate real cakes. Clay is not something I’m used to working with, so I manipulated the medium to act like something more familiar to me, frosting. This opened up possibilities for clay pastry imitation, and this cake series is the first to come from my experimentation. I strive to make every piece delicious-looking, achieving a trompe l'oeil effect. I made these pieces through intense focus on every detail of a light-hearted subject. To view more of my art you can find me on Instagram: @elizabethhord
Heather Michalski: Acceptance, Medium: Prismacolor Premier® Colored Pencils
This piece is more than a self-portrait. It is an expression of accepting not only my physical attributes, but my personality and values as well. The blue haze around the face represents positivity and love coming from within. It is meant to stay solely around the figure rather than address the whole background as it is radiating from the figure as its source.
Esme O’Rourke: The Artist in Summer, Oil on canvas
Capturing this past version of myself was a surreal experience. During the process, I was able to focus on my features that are all too familiar and yet no longer recognizable. Just as the seasons are ever changing, I feel this piece was about remembering the turbulent, transformational journey I was involved in two years ago.
Aykeem Spivey: Meet My Friends, Oil on canvas
The title, "Meet My Friends," dignifies the meaning behind this piece, attempting to expand upon unique features that differentiates us all from each other, but also showing our energetic connection through the use of colors and shapes. The six figures seen in the piece, my friends, have their own hidden feature and a rectangular heart that brings them to life. The explosive use of color exemplifies their contagious aura of inspiration. The iris, representing me, an observant individual, always analyzing the people and world around me
The work of seven Augustana students will be included in the 12 annual College Invitational, opening May 26 at the Figge Art Museum, Davenport, Iowa.
An opening reception will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. May 26. The exhibit will run from May 28-Aug. 28. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The exhibit also includes students from Black Hawk College, Clinton Community College, Knox College, Monmouth College, St. Ambrose University, Scott Community College and Western Illinois University. Their work includes drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, clay, digital illustration, silkscreen, mixed media and found materials.
Each school's entries were chosen by art faculty.
Augustana College artists:
Gray Cunnar (Self, colored pencils and acrylic paint). Cunnar is a sophomore from Batavia, Ill., majoring in art and biology.
Carly Davis (Parallel Play Diptych, graphite). Davis is a senior from Milton, Wis., majoring in art, creative writing and English.
Christopher Ferman (Parallel Dimensions, digital art). Ferman is a junior from Houston, Texas, majoring in graphic design and multimedia journalism.
Elizabeth Hord (Cake Jar & “Cups,” earthenware clay, underglaze, and glaze). Hord is a junior from Brownsville, Texas, majoring in art and graphic design.
Heather Michalski (Acceptance, colored pencil). Michalski is a first-year student from Batavia, Ill., majoring in art and biology.
Esme O'Rourke (The Artist in Summer, oil on canvas). O'Rourke is a sophomore from Niwot, Colo., majoring in art and graphic design.
Aykeem Spivey (Meet My Friends, oil on canvas). Spivey is a sophomore from Gurnee, Ill., majoring in psychology and art.
Contact:
563-326-7804