Metamorphosis | Sacramento State's 2024 Alumni Art Show
Located in the Robert Else Gallery in Kadema Hall at Sacramento State, Metamorphosis is described as a "...captivating journey of artistic metamorphosis [exploring] the transformative power of art and its ability to evoke change, growth, and evolution."
Ronald Peetz, Self Portrait wearing Magritte's Hat and Coat, 2023 (Ceramic and mirror)
Curated by CSUS alumnae, former art professor, and current artist, Brenda Louie, the exhibition showcased the works of twenty-eight alumni artists. Sponsored by the Visual & Performing Arts Alumni Chapter, the show opened from January 29th until February 23rd. It encapsulated a variety of mediums from mixed-media sculpture to art prints, oil paintings, photographs, and video art.
Hei Fok, 09 of 12, 2023 (Acrylic on Canvas)
When selecting artwork for the show, Louie says she prioritized the concepts of the work, the work's execution, materials and mediums, personal expression, and how the artwork contributed to the show as a whole.
Jeff Carter, Snag; Coil and Cane, 2019, Oil on canvas (Left)
Ray Gonzales, Beaner: Fetal Self Portrait of Artist as a Bean, 2018, Clay, glazes, stain (Right)
Pam Avery, Cloud Arabesque, 2019 (Acrylic on Canvas)
Per the title’s inclination towards growth and change, the dates of the alumni works presented range from 2018 to as recent as 2023. Visually, this theme of Metamorphosis– the continued success of artistic creation post collegiate level– isn’t obvious from the immediate viewing of these pieces, due to the diverse array of materials and subject matter. However, the visual diversity within Metamorphosis is a pleasant reminder that, of course, artists will continue to create work outside of an academic setting. Pieces that are representative of themselves and their identities.
Debra van Hulsteyn, Victorian Burn, 2022 (Oil and paper on board)
For many CSUS students, so I’ve heard, leaving the comfortability of the CSUS campus to pursue individual artistic endeavors is a daunting step-stone. The continued presentation of alumni shows can be seen as provisional towards a sense of comfort and camaraderie for undergraduate and graduate studio artists alike.
Dominick Porras, Simulation: Voladores, 2022 (Still of New Media: 3D Animation)
Brett Melliar, Halftime, 2019 (Linocut on paper)
Tyson Roberts, How to Terra form a Painting?, 2023 (Charcoal, pencil, enamel, acrylic, paper, inkjet print, laser print on canvas)
Natana Rose McClusky, Wrapped 3 and 1, 2023 (Wood, plastics, fibers)
Carlaina Brown, Sound Bar XIII, 2023 (Acrylic on expanded cell foam)
Phil Amrhein, Undoing, 2023 (Acrylic and spray paint on Dibond)
Sydney Acosta, $500000, 2021 (Oil on canvas)
Mustafa Shaheen, Mama on May 14th, 2023 (Digital inkjet prints)
Natalie Sakura, Windy After-Negative, 2023 (Oil on Panel)
Sokthea Chan, Number 2A, 2023 (Mixed Media)
Manuel Fernando Rios, Just Arrived, 2022 (Acrylic on Canvas)
Penny Booze, Transition, 2023 (Acrylic ink, sumi ink, marker on Arches paper)
Ray Gonzales, Typewriter: Brown Arneson Series, 2018 (Clay and mixed media)
Linda Gelfman, JB, 2022 (Ceramic, glaze, stain)
Linda Gelfman, Group Therapy, 2021 (Ceramic, glaze, stain)
Yelena Martynovskaya, Untitled, 2023 (Acrylic on panel)
Information sourced from the Sac State Event Page: Metamorphosis | 2024 Sacramento State Alumni Art Community Event
Julia,
ReplyDeleteI always walked past this, and never got a chance to take a look inside here, and I am glad to be able to read this. I love the part where you mentioned that "artists will continue to create work outside of an academic setting. Pieces that are representative of themselves and their identities," which is true because I'm an art major with an emphasis in New Media, but I have to take painting classes, ceramics classes, and drawing classes, yet I also want to make my own art that does not revolve in those 3 mediums. So yeah, I wholeheartedly agree that artists will continue to create work outside of an academic setting.
Your descriptions and photos of the specific works you chose makes me so jealous that I missed this exhibit! Your descriptions are so vivid and give credit to each artist. I definitely was inspired by these Alumni artists, and I did not even see it in person!
ReplyDeleteTerrific, Julia! I'll add that most artists do their best work after they graduate unless they need the academic facilities and environment to produce. It is a very big step, but the freedom of working without an assignment, taking the time needed, learning and growing in the direction they choose, makes the art their own and well executed.
ReplyDeleteHi Julia, I love all the artworks you displayed in your post. I didn't get the chance to see this show in person, but your writing and photos captured it! I like how you described this show as a reassurance to undergraduates. From the work they displayed, I think it can show us all that our art doesn't have to stop after graduation and will continue to elevate.
ReplyDeleteYou chose some great works to include in your post. I wish I had been able to see it all in person, however, your plethora of included images makes me feel like I was there!
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