The Observer

Issue date: 3/26/10 Section: Focus

Maxwell is still in his foundations period at CIA, a year of intense study in multiple disciplines before students choose a major. "The sketches were all done in charcoal and were of my own body. The inspiration came from trying to tell a narrative story. As you may have noticed, each individual frame is of a different hole on the body (specifically on the face). My narrative story was about what types of things go in those holes."

Overall, the exhibition had a very minimalist atmosphere and was heavily influenced by pop culture. The combination of media with text or lyric was also popular in this exhibition. Some stand out pieces included Notation by fourth year Gabby Banzahf (winner of the Prizm Artist's Supply Store Award), Thin as a Rail by third year Julia Chepke, Badge of Honor by third year Leana Teuber, and Ivy by fifth year Sam Canhill. "The final selection attempts to reflect this underlining thread of shared interests and parallel themes to form a cohesive array of the current output of creativity at the Cleveland Institute of Art. There is a recurring relationship with the uncanny that clearly stems from the personal preoccupations that question their individual role as artists and their place," the jurors reflected in their opening-night statement.

Take time out to visit our near-by neighbors right next door to the Peter B. Lewis building before this once-in-a-lifetime exhibition closes. The show ends on April 3 and the Reinberger Gallery is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and until 9 p.m. on Fridays. Step out of the CWRU bubble and into another world. See what your peers are challenging themselves with at the CIA, and pick up some creativity of your own, hopefully inspired by these up-and-coming professionals.

2 of 2

Article Tools