Demetrius Oliver debuts ‘Mare’ exhibition
When VCU invited New York City-based artist Demetrius Oliver to exhibit his work at the FAB, he decided not to display his pre-existing artwork. He opted instead to focus his art around the available space inside the gallery.
For his “Mare” exhibition – on display now at the FAB Gallery – Oliver created a video installation projecting the sea throughout the walls of the gallery.
When VCU invited New York City-based artist Demetrius Oliver to exhibit his work at the FAB, he decided not to display his pre-existing artwork. He opted instead to focus his art around the available space inside the gallery.
For his “Mare” exhibition – on display now at the FAB Gallery – Oliver created a video installation projecting the sea throughout the walls of the gallery.
The challenge for Oliver was creating work that was tailor-made for the space at the FAB gallery.
“Anytime I have a chance to do an installation of something more experimental . I always tend to choose that,” Oliver said.
Oliver said he crafted the foundation for the exhibit in his head three months prior to its grand opening Tuesday, where it debuted. He looked to transcendentalist writers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau for inspiration-a common theme in his work.
Oliver was inspired by astronomy, particularly lunar landscapes. He has incorporated celestial aspects into his work for the past two years, but just like the transcendentalist writers he seeks enlightenment from, Oliver has chosen to touch on these themes in a metaphorical and poetic manner.
Assistant professor in the sculpture and extended media department Micheal McKean is familiar with Oliver’s hidden metaphors. He became acquainted with Oliver’s work when they both participated in the Core Fellowship in Houston three years ago. McKean – who suggested Oliver’s name to VCU faculty – said although Oliver’s end product is not often complicated, the greater meaning, has more significance.
“(He uses) a very simple image that seems ridiculous (at first),” McKean said. “. (But) if you spend any time with it, the image and symbolisms start to creep in.”
However metaphorical Oliver’s artwork might be, he would still like for viewers to find their own meaning in his pieces.
“I really kind of leave it to the viewer to . find something that resonates with them,” Oliver said. “(I try to) make the viewer work as hard as I have to work in making the imagery.”
Demetrius Oliver’s “Mare” exhibition will be on display in the Fine Arts Building gallery through March 1. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
