Monday, April 21, 2014

BFA Juried Exhibition 2014

Microchroma
Microchroma, Fall 2013
Chalk pastel on paper

______As a Bachlor of Fine Arts major, I have the opportunity to enter my work into a juried competition among other BFAs for being displayed in an off-campus gallery for a few weeks. I was pleased as a pokey pineapple to discover that two of my pieces ended up being selected! Both are installation floor pieces that were done last semester for a Drawing Concepts class. I had to set them up one early morning alongside faculty and other BFA majors as we all figured out the proper placements for the works; I believe a true gallery environment with hardwood floors and controlled lighting really makes the work pop compared to a classroom setting, so I was sure to snap a ton of pictures, which is why you all haven't seen these before!

______The first piece I'll show you is a floor piece comprised of a multitude of pieces that I hand cut from thick Bristol paper. I then made drawings that were cellular or body-like in nature using chalk pastel on those pieces. As you move from the outer pieces to the center, the image "zooms in" on the one above it, thus rendering it more abstract. It was very time-consuming, but working with a buttload of smaller pieces instead of one large entity made it more adventurous and bearable. I feel this piece opened a whole new world for me; I'm hoping to push similar ideas further in my coming years.

MicrochromaMicrochromaMicrochromaMicrochroma

______My next piece was lucky enough to claim the famed "glass floor" on the second floor of the gallery. I was delighted it fit so perfectly there--I was afraid I would have to leave some strips out or have an uneven placement of them, but everything fit snug as a tiny cactus in a tiny cactus holder. For this one, I snipped a (clean!) white bed sheet into squares, stacked the squares in groupings of ten, inked minimalistic drawings on the top square, and used alcohol to bleed its memory through the layers.

______It was entertaining observing people get so close to both of my works to point and try to figure out what was going on. As I was taking pictures, one guy asked, "Is this yours?" and I nodded yes and he said, "It took me a while to realize what was happening. And then I grasped it and had an 'aha!' moment." He told me it was neat how even very similar marks ended up producing different results, and he and many others told me which their favorite "row" was, which was delightful to me!

Wash Out, Quiet SquaresWash Out, Quiet SquaresWash Out, Quiet SquaresWash Out, Quiet SquaresBFA Juried Exhibition 2014
Wash Out, Quiet Squares, Fall 2013
Ink, alcohol, fabric, glass

______The event itself couldn't have gone smoother--I was sure to make myself as frilly as possible, donning a confectionary, twirl-worthy dress and my geek-chic Triforce earrings. There was a full gallery of people: fellow art students, faculty, and family members made up a hearty chunk of the attendees, but there were many others beside that. I also spoke to a few polite strangers about my own art on display and I really think it helped my own confidence--it's flooring (ha) to see that people are interested in what you're making and how you're thinking!

______(sighs deeply) Yep, I'm gonna miss all my senior art friends who are graduating in just two weeks. Two weeks! What even happened to the semester?


BFA Juried Exhibition 2014BFA Juried Exhibition 2014BFA Juried Exhibition 2014BFA Juried Exhibition 2014BFA Juried Exhibition 2014BFA Juried Exhibition 2014
(first group photo above taken by Greg Randall)

20 comments:

LyddieGal said...

You are so lucky your art got to be a part of the show, and displayed in such a grand way. It must have been fun to interact with people seeing your pieces for the first time.

I can't imagine how long it must have taken you to draw all those smaller works... I am so impressed by the breadth of the project!
Chic on the Cheap

Unknown said...

I really like the first piece, it is reaaaaally cool and colorful too! - which, of course, i approve of. :) also love your frock, you look adorbs!

Kristian said...

What really neat art pieces.

Katie Aman said...

Ahhhhh :D I saw photos of this on fb and was so excited for you! What a great honor and they chose TWO of your works?! That just shows how amazing and talented you are. How fun it must have been to see everyone admire the hard work you put into your pieces. And I love that you got a spot on the glass floor. That really does add another element and it fit perfectly so it was obviously meant to be :)
Gosh, it's always hard to see senior friends go off and graduate...the semesters fly by so quickly...pretty soon that will be YOU my darling!

Ivana Split said...

congrats...I love them...and you look so pretty in that white dress:) there is always something unique about your outfits.

Creme de la Chic said...

This is seriously so amazing! I love what youre wearing as well :)
so happy I came across your blog!
Your newest follower,
Kelly

Hope you're having a lovely Monday!xx

♥ ♡ ♥ ♡ Creme de la Chic ♥ ♡ ♥ ♡

Laura Jones said...

well done you, and i really like both of your pieces! they both look like really time-consuming projects and you must've been really proud to see them at the gallery:-) also, thought i'd say that i appreciate your pineapple and cactus similes, haha. and your dress is lovely! xx

Alissa said...

Eeeeeeek! I am so proud of you Ali! I totally don't understand art but when I was in design school I just knew how much time these types of things took. You are incredible!

Keit said...

Where's the new Prince Charming Pokemon Lover? Is he there!? *_*
Btw, I suck at art, have no idea what the glass floor represents, care to give me a hint? :D
And you look so fancy and classy!!!!

Rachel said...

As more of a "word art" gal myself, I have to tell you that I fell in love with this phrase of yours: "snug as a tiny cactus in a tiny cactus holder"
Pure brilliance. It made me smile.

Sam said...

Wow, congratulations Ali!! This is just the start of many more amazing things to come. It must have been so thrilling to have your brilliant work on display. I am particularity stunned by the first piece, Id buy it in a heartbeat (if I could afford it, lol), Well Done, so happy for you!!

Hoda Katebi said...

Ahhh congratulations!! That must be so exciting! My brother is also an artist and whenever his art gets accepted to a gallery we're all so ecstatic! :D Your art is also really unique and so you! :D
Beautiful dress, also! xx

<(') Hoda || JooJoo Azad ~ Free Bird

The Dragonfruit said...

OoooOooooOooooo *_*
Haha, I love that "aha!" moment he had, I felt the same thing as I scrolled through your works. I reaaaally wish I could see them in person though. You put such thought into these projects! They're captivating and make the viewer want to stare in depth at them to understand.
AWESOME ALI IS AWESOME!! :D

The Dragonfruit Diaries

mochaccinoland said...

congrats dear! your art pieces are amazing! i'm happy for your achievement!

xoxo
mochaccinoland.blogspot.com

Purple said...

I love your work! Wish I could see it in person to truly spend some time with it.

You look gorgeous and I love the Triforce earrings!

jess said...

It's amazing you got to show off your work. The colors in the pastel piece are so pretty.

Unknown said...

You have amazing talent and gorgeous individual. Love your blog! Thanks for dropping by mine. If you ever get chance, check out my newest post featuring a watercolor peplum dress.

Cheers,
http://tornandpolished.com

Sam said...

Have a great start to the weekend hun! Thanks for your kind visit.

Londyn said...

Looks amazing! Great photos!

www.fashionistastyle1.blogspot.com

Dus of Cuddly Cacti said...

whoa girl that is huge!! seriously, huge congrats to you on all your hard work and beautiful pieces. the colorful floor art is so pretty and you look just stunning! glad to hear the show went great as well!