By Leanna Pankratz (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: May 9, 2012
Beginning on with an alumni wine and cheese reception, UFV’s 2012 Bachelor of Fine Arts Graduation Exhibition, themed “Soon This Space Will Be Too Small” kicked off, running from April 27 to May 17. The B Building Visual Arts Gallery plays host to the free exhibit that showcases the artwork of BFA student degree candidates.
A walk through the exhibit is a diverse and enriching experience, as viewers are given the opportunity to experience the artwork created by students graduating from the Visual Arts program. Much like the Fashion Department’s final show, the BFA Graduation Exhibit provides students and the public with an up-close-and-personal view of the talent, creativity and passion that students put into their work for the program.
Ryan Larocque, a participant in the exhibition and a 2012 BFA graduate, spoke about his experiences with the program and in its final showcase. “I am exhibiting a series of portrait paintings that focus on the connections or disconnections between modern technology and the tradition of painting,” he said of his artwork. “I emphasize this distance through the abstraction of celebrity portrait. This is to put the project in simple terms, of course.”
This grad show was a great success, with many UFV students and community members alike coming together to appreciate the finest our BFA students have to offer. “I have always been amazed at how put together and professional the grad shows of the past have been,” Larocque said. “After all the hard work and dedication from the grad class and faculty (not just on our respective works) I am happy to see our show come together to the same standard.”
As it goes with all graduate projects, however, the triumphant finale is always somewhat bittersweet. Larocque described the experience of finishing as “a bit surreal. I always felt that I was plugging away, but still so far away from my end goal. I didn’t realize how close I was until my program advisors contacted me to say that if I added a class I would be on track to finish and here I am – finished. It’s a neat feeling, with many emotions.”
Ever since he was young, Laroque knew visual arts were his passion. “I’ve been doing arts as far back as I can remember. I have gone through periods of playing and performing music as well as finishing a graphic design diploma in 2003 but I always knew I was going to end up doing something in the visual and creative realm.”
One of the best parts of experiencing the BFA Graduate Exhibition is the chance to see the passion for art these students have in a tangible form. The talent is raw and diverse, and students have a lot to say through the work they are showcasing. It’s just another example of the talent that is being honed daily in UFV’s various programs.
