Senior art exhibit opens with text heavy theme
The annual senior art exhibition, ConTEXT, recently opened in the Cultural Arts Building Mezzanine Gallery. The show is based on the interpretation of words, text and typographic symbols in art. Students from UNCW, Cape Fear Community College and Coastal Carolina Community College contributed to the collection.
“You want to not take away the mystery,” said Rebecca Haggist, a co-curator of the show. “Art should say something. When you put a word in something, that doesn’t mean you’re explaining the meaning, but giving yet another interpretation.”
“The Concept for ConText stemmed from a personal experience as I transitioned from Cape Fear Community College, where I had often used text integrated into my work, to UNCW, where for the first time my use of text in fine art was questioned,” said Erin Tetterton, another of the show’s co-curators.
A brief discussion of the artwork was held Nov. 29 before the gallery viewing. Text-shaped cookies made by the co-curators acted as an interactive part of the exhibit.
Co-curators included: Anna Kennedy, a studio art major graduating this semester, Erin Tetterton, a studio art major graduating this semester and Rebecca Haggist, a studio art major graduating in May.
“This is the first time any of us have curated an art show,” Tetterton said. “And to my knowledge it’s the first time the Mezzanine Gallery in the Cultural Arts Building has been opened to students submitting prospectuses for student-led shows.”
UNCW students Laura Parsons, Micella Statuto, Sidney Cobb, Kari Gehrke, Brooke Nelson and Julienne Beblo have artwork in the ConText show. Dawn Wood, a student from Cape Fear Community College, has a piece in the show as well.
The juror was Brian Victor, associate vice chancellor of student affairs.
