TU faculty and students marvel over unique art pieces in Phillips Hall.
The Alexandre Hogue Gallery formally opened the faculty art exhibition on Thursday, Sept. 5. The event celebrated the showcase of pieces from many noteworthy TU professors such as Michelle Martin, Becky Rolseth, Cristiana Prado and many others.
Rolseth, an adjacent instructor for drawing and printmaking, had multiple letter pressed embossed pages commenting on her struggles with health and facing ableism, exploring the effects of society’s views on people with invisible disabilities. There were also various ceramic pieces by Prado, TU’s very own ceramics professor. The ceramic pieces she made were beautiful and intricate, portraying her interpretation of gardens and her native culture. Jason Yang, professor of digital arts, showed his design and illustration work with a focus on pop culture.
A work shown that seemed to garner a lot of attention was a “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle” action figure package and toy, all of which had been designed by Yang and are still selling in stores today. Students were mesmerized by the works of Martin, a professor of art and printmaking here at TU, and also an active artist who has had work shown in over 250 national and international exhibitions. Her work consisted of multiple complex and detailed prints depicting lifted structures with large civilizations in the distance. A larger historical reconstruction was also shown, having been worked on by multiple TU faculty and students such as Maria F. Maurer, Akram Taghavi-Burris, Caroline Cox, Kami Jurenka, Sara Moore and Ashton Brown. The piece was a 3D reconstruction of a unified altarpiece that now resides in the form of multiple broken pieces divided among the United states and Europe. You can now go to the gallery to see the digitally remade The Mystic Marriage of St. Catherine of Siena by Domenico Beccafumi. Originally painted in 1538 and 1539, now reborn in 2024.
The opening event was an inspiring evening that truly reflected TU’s small and inviting community. All faculty were present and happily engaged with students and other artists to have meaningful conversations about their work. Advice and motivation were exchanged among students and professors alike and the opening proved to be a helpful social event for artists on and off campus.
One moment that truly enhanced the evening was the introduction of Jason Todd Yang Rafferty. A two-foot-long metal crawfish named after the likeness of Professor Yang and Professor Rafferty was on display. Was this art piece an impactful and thought provoking piece made by TU faculty to showcase the inner psyche of the human mind? No, he’s a steel crustacean that was bought from a pawn shop and in no way affiliated with any of the gallery pieces or gallery, but he was a lovely addition to the event and brought many smiles to the gallery onlookers. Hopefully Crawfish Rafferty will bless TU students with his presence at future TU events — all the more of an excuse for students to start the semester by engaging with social gatherings and visiting the gallery.
