Lamont Clegg thinks the art by four graduate students in Kresge Art Museum is amazing.
“I really think these four students are really talented and I think they can make it as professional artists,” the museum’s spokesman said.
Clegg is speaking of the art on display in Kresge for the annual Department of Art Master of Fine Arts Exhibition. He said every year, the art department showcases the work of students who will be receiving their master’s degrees in the fine arts.
Julia Warner said it felt fantastic to have her work in the show.
“To get it out in a larger space, to get away from it, and have beautiful lighting on it feels great,” the studio art graduate student said.
Warner, a painter, looks to her surroundings for inspiration.
“My work is motivated by trying to understand the world around me,” she said.
She said inspiration comes from things that strike her visually.
Other artists found the preparation for the show an exhausting experience.
Debra Bonello said while she was tired from producing her work, she was in high spirits for the show.
“It’s exuberating,” the studio art graduate student said.
Some artists don’t have to look too far for influence on their work. Bonello said she looks to her life for inspiration.
“My inspiration is my children and the life I’ve led,” she said.
Bonello uses a style called etching. An artist will use a zinc or a copper plate and draw on the plate. After the artist draws the picture, he or she will use acid to etch a line into the plate and hold the ink.
Each of the four artists’ style is different from the other.
Gregory Siler, whose paintings are called “Descent,” “Lorain” and “Didymus,” has work that could cover an entire wall.
“My painting is a physical act, with physical gestures,” the studio art graduate student said.
Siler said he usually paints at night, and looks toward his readings of philosophy and the mind for inspiration.
April Kingsley, the acting director of Kresge Art Center, said the show has been there since the museum first opened.
The pieces by these graduate students will be on display until April 8.
Kathy Lookingland, who uses graphic design, said her work can take as long as a week to months to produce.
“Sometimes the concept changes and changes until the idea is finally where I think it should be,” the studio art graduate student said.
Lookingland, who said having her art on display is very exciting, looks to letters and words along with her own thoughts for her artistic muse.
“I work at finding ways to combine ideas and make them visually appealing,” she said.
