Graduating images college students to farewell with One Night Stand The Commonwealth Occasions

Rachel Nicholas, Contributing Writer 

All eyes are on the senior VCU images class as they show sneak peeks of their capstone thesis as a part of a one evening solely present on Dec. 4. 

Taking place at The Anderson — a internet hosting house for VCU college students, alumni and particular visitors — One Night Stand will spotlight the onerous work and dedication of the previous semester, culminating in a single remaining show.

The title of the exhibition was chosen from a protracted listing of names by way of a vote organized by president Ava Schrag. The present serves not solely as the scholars’ capstone, but additionally a trial run for his or her thesis, in line with senior artist Tahlia Hightower.

“It’s not mandatory that we use thesis work,” Hightower stated. “I know at least most of us definitely want to use it in hopes that all the people who have helped support us for all the things like artist talks and portfolio reviews will get to see what they’ve been helping.”

Hightower describes her artwork as part of her therapeutic course of — her featured piece is one which reveals her shifting by way of these emotions. 

“The piece that I chose feels like my work,” Hightower stated. “I’ve been confronting these things more, pushing the boundaries of my work and what I’m doing. So having it nice and framed in a gallery feels like a step towards the finale, like I’m really doing this, not just as an artist, but like a human being that deals with real life.”

Maggie O’Rourke, a taking part artist, stated her life experiences have had an emotional influence on her work.  

“I’m using photography to explore the subconscious mind, specifically how my dreams, nightmares and childhood trauma shape memory and identity,” O’Rourke stated.

O’Rourke, who transferred from a small arts faculty in Mississippi, cites her sister because the inspiration for her work, deciding to function her for her remaining thesis.

“My family is a huge thing in my life,” O’Rourke stated. “My little sister has autism, and she is just my whole world. She’s been like my muse since I was just starting photography, so I felt like it was only right to use a picture of her.”

Over the course of 4 years, roughly 30-something college students have grown and bonded by way of their artwork, forming a group, stated artist Matthew Pappaconstantinou.

“I love everyone here,” Pappaconstaninou stated. “We all spend so much time together working on our art and we all became friends pretty much.”

Pappaconstaninou, a lens-based photographer, stated his work and images have grown because the begin of his artwork profession as a freshman artwork basis pupil to senior 12 months. 

“Every year, my photos improve more and more,” Pappaconstaninou stated. “This year, I’m choosing to focus on that change and kind of center my work around it.”

One Night Stand presents viewers an intimate look into the group’s remaining work whereas additionally commemorating the relationships and development over 4 years of collaboration. With their final exhibitions approaching, the seniors really feel this present stands as a testomony to their artistic work and the progress they’ve made, and proceed to make, with their artwork.

More data on the exhibition will be discovered at arts.vcu.edu/event/one-night-stand-exhibition/.

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