University Open Show

By Deborah Knittel

A ceramic wedding cake for the same sex couple, a large acrylic painting combining cartoon images with a sobering portrait of a boy soldier, and a richly textured photograph of abandoned bathtubs are among the works in the University Open show now on display at the Downtown Arts Center on Main St. The 30 pieces by 22 university students from all over Kentucky include a variety of media, including painting, photography, ceramics, sculpture and fiber. It is interesting to see what themes interest young adult artists and how they use their media to express them. Juror Jay Jordon, director of the New Center for Contemporary Art in Louisville, selected the work from over 100 pieces submitted to this annual event, which is sponsored by LexArts with the assistance of the Lexington Art League.

Jake Oxnard, a University of KY student, explores the dark side of the human condition in two mixed media sculptures. In Parasitic Nature, Oxnard sculpted a human torso, bent over to expose his back to an enormous bronze spider that appears to be sucking the life juices from the poplar figure. Oxnard once again combines wood and copper in his smaller sculpture Bandages. The human figure, carved from cherry, stands with slumped shoulders facing into a corner of the room. The body is wrapped in copper bandages, the green patina of the metal suggesting that the wounds they cover are old ones. Both pieces encourage the viewer to explore the symbolic nature of the abuse to these human forms. Ceramicist Jason Burnett, a student at Western Kentucky University, won Best of Show with Your Father Doesnít Love Me Anymore, one of three of his pieces in this show exploring domestic themes. In an unusual combination of media, Burnett presents a pink serving plate decorated with lacy white hearts sitting atop a real lace doily. A heart shape has been cut out of the middle of the plate and the hole filled with a mound of rich caramel colored natural sugar. The missing heart shape is lying to the side of the plate surrounded by a neat pile of sugar granules.

Among the many works in photography is a delightful color digital print Deer in the Doorway by UK student Lee Ann Paynter. The richly colored composition draws the viewer into a series of cluttered rooms. The repeating rectangles of light colored cabinets and chimney against green and yellow walls draw the eye to the mounted deer head framed by an open doorway. The soft texture of the deer hide plays against the shine of glass bottles, metal grates and buckets, all unified by repeating colors and textures in the furnishings of the rooms. One wonders if the compositional arrangement was a serendipitous find or carefully staged by a creative and talented artist. Second place in the contest went to Northern KY student Joseph M. Koehl for his series of three photographs of land being prepared for new development. The views are stark, cold and depressing-an implied comment on the ìimprovementsî that await the land. Sarah Davisís small gelatin print WISH is a graphic delight. The black and white image presents the black silhouette of a fully opened peacockís tail projected on the light expanse of the back of a seated nude woman. The soft, feathery texture fades into the darkened background around the figure, emphasizing the femininity of the figure. Third place went to UK student Dawn Graham for her photo For Sale. The viewer assumes the role of voyeur. Looking past the For Sale sign on the windshield of a van, we see the back of a partially clad woman sitting astride her male companion, who is mostly hidden from view. Among the few large pieces in the show are two striking digital prints by UK student Tyler Dearing. In both pieces, Dearing has successfully combined political commentary with a humorous tone. The large format of the pieces gives importance to his themes. In My Opinions?, the point is clear. The young man sits uncomfortably in an arm chair. The young man, the chair, the walls and the floor are ìupholsteredî in enlarged pages of the Kentucky Kernel, UKís student newspaper. The headline on the Opinions page reads ìSeek Student Input Before Approving USP Changes.î Both pieces required careful and time-consuming set-up as well as skillful use of the camera. Dearing won an Honorable Mention with these pieces. The other Honorable Mention went to Katherine Normal, also a UK student for her C-print, Being Domestic.

To quote Jim Clark, President and CEO of LexArts, ìMany of the artists already have defined voices, while others are still exploring and experimenting with different media. That is what makes this show exciting to view and experience.î This show is a perfect addition to lunch at Alfalfaís or an afternoon exploring the galleries on Main. The gallery, on the second floor of the Downtown Arts Center, is open Tues-Friday, 10-5, Sat, 10-4. Thru June 7. For a full list of students juried into the show or more information, go to the LexArts website, www.LexArts.org. 859.225.2951.