By Rachel Tait (Contributor) – Email
Earlier this month, this year’s visual arts diploma grad show opened at the S’eliyemetaxwtexw Art Gallery in B building. The exhibit consisted of artwork produced by three students: Chantelle Fawcett, Chrissy Courtney, and Megan Naples.
The trio chose the title Reverence and the Underbelly in reference to their deep respect for nature, alongside their disdain for the unpleasant effects of humanity on the natural world.
Courtney created a garbage animal sculpture of a black crow located in the centre of the room. The sculpture was made from carved styrofoam covered with a black garbage bag. Courtney was also responsible for the photo series capturing the fear of animals fleeing for their lives.
Naples’ exhibit, “Organic,” consists of simple, yet intricately handmade paper leaves with a wire silhouette. She was inspired to create her pieces when she saw the dried leaves in her backyard begin to curl. At the same time, she observed the effect of how a paper lamp could make a “sculptural object.” Naples used this effect to curl her own paper to create the large leaves that hang from the ceiling near the back of the exhibit.
Fawcett’s contribution was the beautiful “Capitalist Tree,” located at the back of the wall, with multiple canvases creating the image of a tree, complete with a skull.
Reverence and the Underbelly will remain on exhibit until April 5 in the S’eliyemetaxwtexw Art Gallery in B building (room B136)
Note: In the original version of this article, the pieces created by Chantelle Fawcett and Megan Naples were misattributed. This error has now been corrected.
