What a privilege! This year I had the honor of jurying the annual student art show at Chemeketa Community College. My task was to pick first, second, and third places in the show- and trust me, the artists made this task very difficult. There was so much wonderful work, so many different approaches to making art, and above all an abundance of talent in the room! The enthusiasm for art was on full display!
The Process:
First I made my way through the room, taking everything in- mulling the elements of art and design, along with general approach and subject matter. Once I had made my way through all the work, I circled back and narrowed the room down to seven individual works. Trust me when I say, my job would have been much easier if I had a dozen honorable mentions to award as well!
Once I narrowed the works, I went back around and rated each work on a 1-5 scale in each of the following categories; Originality, Technical Execution, Concept and Overall Presentation & Execution. Using this scale I picked three winners. While so many student works showed impeccable skill, I feel that the true quality of a work of art is a mixture of technical skill and content, with a heavy weight on content. To me content includes narrative and concept, and gives life to any work of art.
Honorable Shout Outs:
Though I did not have those mentions to award, I want to take the time to shout them out here.
This is a clear cut case for the strength in narrative. Fantastic work!
Wow, Caravaggio much? A dead ringer of exceptional skill!
Rich and bold color, narrative and style- all used to bring a concept to life!
Here again, immense skill on display-with a dash of nostalgia!
Okay, so now that I have given a big shout out to these four works that just missed the cut, let’s get to the why I chose the winners I did.
3rd Place:
Much like the qualities of the other two winners, this work has a kind of “x-factor” that seems to just pull you in. There is something to be said about the rawness with which the viewer is confronted. The figure feels as alone as it looks. The space that the character rests in feels hectic and disconcerting. This work is expressive and free and conveys emotion in a highly effective manner. Emotion, to me, is the very reason for art.
2nd Place :
Reality is the word that comes to mind. So much art is about fantasy and artistic license, about the artist portraying the world as they see it. However, in my opinion the camera is at it’s best when it simply denotes what is there. Of course this photographer handled the shot with great style. Accentuating the use of shape and light to provide a near perfect composition- the rule of thirds pointing you ever so slightly to a focal point. And narrative, boy what the viewer can write in their own head after seeing this work. So many scenarios, so many different interpretations all from a single frame of reality. Fine, fine work here!
1st Place:
Okay, let me get a redo on that word “x-factor.” Let’s go with magnetism- cause this work has got it. Technically this work is unassuming at first, but the body language of the figure pulls you up from his chest and into his eyes- bringing you in to show you a flash of technical mastery in the face- and what a beautifully executed face! There is joy, pride, sweetness, vigor and above all, soul in this face. Through paint, this artist has given the figure self respect, dignity and an intense sense of likability. This work stands out in particular because the artist’s love and enthusiasm, burst through each stroke. A true painting of joy. Fantastic composition, great depth and emotion, and technical execution- add it all up to get 1st.
To all of you, thank you. To all of you, keep up the fantastic work!
I’ll leave you with one thought: The only thing it takes to be a real artist is making art.
In other words, be unabashedly you!
Cheers,
Blue
