Students exhibit art works
Mon, December 10 2007
By Angela Lee
|
Senior visual arts student Ken Wu,
a Bruce Lee fan, holds up a painting
he is showing at the upcoming Sense
of Space art show |
The event takes place at the former post office in downtown Abbotsford, a location made available to the students through the generosity of its owner, Abbotsford businessman Ali Shamei.
Fourth-year visual arts student Janet Comer says the historic building certainly adds to this year’s theme.
“The old post office is a wonderful venue for an art show,” she says, adding that UCFV now has both floors of the building for the show. “The ceilings are tall and the large windows let in perfect natural light.”
Comer is one of 10 senior students participating in this year’s event and she explains that organizing a show, finding a way to display your work, and promoting the event is all part of the Senior Studio I course.
“The course helps to train emerging artists on the skills they need to create gallery shows. Some of these skills include the ability to work within a cohesive theme in a group setting, writing artist statements, and learning how to organize, hang, and light artwork,” Comer says. “Our group has done all of the behind-the-scenes work with the help of our instructor, Grace Tsurumaru, including designing our own poster for the show, which was created by student Anyssa Carruthers.”
This year’s exhibition will feature contemporary art from the talented artists and portrays many forms of art including painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, and installation art.
Ken Wu is only one of a few students to display multiple works. His triptych, “Yellow No. 1,” is an homage to Bruce Lee, a personal hero of the artist’s. Using several classic images from the kung fu master’s movies, Wu utilizes oil paint and brush strokes to depict the force and purpose behind Lee’s animated movements.
In another piece, titled “Power”, Wu combines his own facial features with a caricature Lee to reference his training in cartoon and graphic design and fine oil painting with Lee’s martial arts training.
“I identify with Bruce Lee in many ways,” writes the artist in a statement. “Both Western and Eastern cultures encapsulate my life.
Whereas Bruce uses weapons during his kung fu battles, my nunchakus are a pencil and brush.”
Fellow exhibitor Comer is excited to be able to host a show with her colleagues and classmates in such a dramatic venue.
“The fact that we can all exhibit our work in the community is very exciting since art production is about opening up a dialogue through the sharing of ideas,” she adds.
Ali Shamei, the owner of Abbotsford’s Zeeba Hair and Body Image, has stated that he enjoys working with the students to help promote their art, and says he has great respect for artists because their work allows people to use their imaginations.
An opening reception for the exhibition will be held this Friday at 7 pm, featuring finger food and live music.
“Sense of Space” runs from Fri Dec 7 to Fri Dec 14 at the former Abbotsford Post Office (2645 Montrose Ave, Abbotsford). Entry by donation; all proceeds to benefit the Visual Arts program.
