Hailey Nelson
News Editor
Below the main entrance to Idaho State University’s Fine Arts building lies splashes of ink and paint, crafted words, depictions of nature and stories to fill the minds of those who stop to ponder. All this and more was created by artists.
On Aug. 27th, those seven students unveiled their pieces for the 2019 M.F.A. Graduate Art Exhibit. Presentations and an opening reception led the night for art enthusiasts, supporters, family members and passersby of the John B. Davis Gallery.
Laura Ahola-Young, an art professor, oversaw the event.
“Being graduate students in the M.F.A. program can tear you apart,” said Ahola-Young. “It can be an extremely difficult, mind-blowing, stomach-wrenching, give-up experience.”
The exhibit includes art both to inspire feelings and action. A personal atmosphere came with the small space during the night of presentations, opening artists and attendees to an experience of vulnerability.
depicting ideas of time: what exists, and what may never exist again if something does not change.
“I want people to think about the river,” he said, “because if we don’t care about rivers, all you’re going to have to look at is pieces of art–like this.”
Another artist, Bill Bybee, was also motivated by activism. His featured art was inspired by 1970’s protest movements. One ink-on-canvas creation, titled “Stepping Off,” specifically referenced an occurrence of this period of activism.
“In the early 70’s they would do protest parades,” he said. “People would line the streets to watch these people protest, and all of a sudden there would be this big cheer, where someone had ‘stepped off’ the curb and joined the parade.”
Each other artists explained their inspirations, trials, and visions that eventually led to the finished pieces on display. Nikyra Capson sifted through offensive Instagram and YouTube comments to create her piece. Iris Lindemood used intimate documentations of an annual trip to invent a personal feeling over her work.
Whether working with concrete, canvas, or organic materials, each artist brought the gallery to life in their own way. Ahola-Young praised the M.F.A. students with having “sisu,” a Finnish word for strength, resilience, and bravery.
“It takes a lot of courage, and I respect [the artists] for standing up and owning [their] work,” she said. “You all did a great job.”
The exhibition will be available on the first floor of the Fine Arts building from Aug. 28th through Sept. 6th.
