Finley visit reflected in student work

Seniors recognize their influences in show to open this Monday

Most senior art shows take place in the sunshine of late spring, when parents roam campus in commencement anticipation. Seniors Ginger Brooks, Katherine Higgins and Jocelyn Jacobs, however, have opted to do a show this semester. Under the department guidelines, seniors typically have a show during the spring semester, and honors candidates show their work both semesters. Though none of the three are honors candidates, they decided to have this show for "fun."

It's not a collaborative event, other than the fact that they're all in it together. The artists felt, however, that their works were thematically consistent. Entitled "Past," each artist in her own way uses her work to deal with her own personal past.

Brooks, whose work uses silkscreen and wood-block printing techniques, cites many influences. "John Pearson was a big influence. The silkscreen course that I took my second year here changed my life. Meeting Pipo Nguyen-Duy and Nanette Yanuzzi Macias this year has also impacted me. Hearing their stories, seeing their work and talking with them has been influential. Also, I've been doing woodblock printmaking with Paul Arnold, retired printmaking professor of Oberlin College, who now lives in Kendal. I regret not spending more time with him." Brooks is also showing an installation she began as an assignment for a workshop with Karen Finley, held earlier this week.

Higgins works in photography and sculpture. "I'm showing two different types of non-silver photographs, which are made using techniques which were developed before the invention, or perfection, of conventional black and white print techniques." Also on display will be examples of her work in sculpture and installation.

Jacobs, inspired by the "spirit" which motivates Karen Finley's work, has been painting and working with mixed media pieces on wood. She attempts to deal with the idea of home and varying stages of her relationship with her home. Of her goals, says Jacobs, "I am always trying to understand my past, how it made me who I am and how it will create/affect my future."

The show comes at a time when not much student visual art is easily accessible. The impetus for the show, which was to keep the artists working this fall, has been a successful endeavor. Higgins added, "We want everyone to come. We're looking for feedback from the whole community."

Past, featuring the work of three senior artists, will be showing in Fisher Hall from Dec. 6 to 10. It opens this Monday at 8 p.m.