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The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    Seniors show off final pieces

    Every semester, seniors of various art concentrations within the fine and performing arts department participate in an Art and Design Senior Exhibition. This semester, a group of 37 students were in the show.

    “For many of the students this is their first show and it’s a celebration of their work,” said Dale Newkirk, Contemporary Art Gallery director. “For many of them, the opening of [the show] would be more important than walking in commencement. Parents come to the opening and it’s a big deal.”

    The show opened Thursday, April 23 at 5 p.m. in the Contemporary Art Gallery. 

    The seniors each developed their own individual ideas then created pieces of art with their ideas into their thesis. Some of these seniors included new media and animation major Gabriella Riley, ceramics and printmaking major Rachel Sevier and sculpture major Allison Papa.

    Riley featured three pieces in the show titled “Wither,” “Consume” and “Incarnation.” She focused her thesis on the idea of the disappearing of flowers. 

     “I really got stuck on this idea of flowers and organicism and that [flowers are] not going to last forever and [they’ll] be gone,” said Riley when discussing “Wither.”

    According to Riley, “Consume” is a digital video focusing on the idea of giving flowers to someone. 

    “I was thinking about you and in turn you’ll be thinking about me,” said Riley.

    Riley continues to explain that “Incarnation,” a digital video, focuses on the idea that “we don’t want to be forgotten.”

    Sevier said that her ceramic and screen-printed instillation titled “Etymology” began just by working with material and doing what felt right.

    The evolution of Sevier’s artwork ended with the changes found in nature.

    “Slowly, I started to change from making functional ceramic-ware into more non-functional, organic shapes,” said Sevier. “Through the evolution, it revealed to me that it was about change and adaptability. The piece uses the juxtaposition of strength and fragility found in nature.” 

    Papa created puppets and put on a puppet show with the help of some of her friends combining visual art and performance.  

    “I fell in love with making [puppets] and I went to town,” said Papa. “I broke free and as I was making puppets, characters were growing and there was no way I was containing that.” 

    Following the opening, awards of recognition were given to four students. Maude Cusimano was awarded for outstanding senior in art history, Rosa-Lee Marino was awarded for outstanding senior in graphic design and Sevier and Dylan Cruz were awarded for outstanding seniors in studio art.

    The show will be displayed until May 15 in the gallery. For more information, contact the gallery at 985-549-5080. 

    Rosa-Lee Marino, Dylan Cruz, Maude Cusimano and Rachel Sevier stand
    together with smiles after receiving recognition as outstanding seniors.
    Marino was outstanding graphic design senior, Cruz and Sevier
    were outstanding in studio art and Cusimano was outstanding in art history.
    The Lion's Roar/Elizabeth Brown

     

     

     

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