Fakeha Naeem, Contributing Writer
The Anderson and VCUarts are exhibiting “The way things could be …,” to showcase selected works of six participating artists, from the VCUarts Foundation faculty.
The artists include Roberto Jamora, Nyasha Madamombe, Will Connally, Morgan Herrin, Chelsea Lee and Michael Royce. Their work brings a unique perspective to the transformation of thoughts and feelings into physical expression for the audience to interact with.
The featured works explore the concept of what seems tangible, becoming concrete through the mediums of photography, painting or sculpture. The artists’ works are based on belief, religion, fictional work and emotions.
The theme for the show stems from Sarah Irvin, curator of student exhibitions and programs at The Anderson, who challenged the artists to create works which tie to the concept “The Way Things Could Be…”
“Through studio visits, attending their artist talks, and engaging in in-depth conversations about their work, I began to see throughlines emerge,” Irvin said.
Irvin said the question on how images can be used to answer questions on what and how we believe, is an important part of being human. That is how the idea of intangible changing into something tangible emerged.
Herrin, an assistant professor and woodshop coordinator for VCUarts, references aspects of ancient, neolithic monuments in his sculptures. Transforming conceptual pieces into physical art comes naturally to him, but for this particular theme his inspiration became a thing obsession, thinking deeply about how things translate into one another.
Herrin’s work in the gallery is a blend of functional and sculptural art that he would like the audience to physically interact with.
“The idea is to connect to the work,” Herrin said. “The work is completed through their interaction with it, I want them to feel the mystery, intrigue of these objects, and want that to come through from the work to, and it did to some extent.”
When asked about how the other artist exhibiting with him felt interacting with his sculptural pieces, Herrin said they were surprised by how functional the pieces were. While there are some incredible pieces from the series, his favorite is a tall spire. Described as a lamp projecting the sunset onto the wall while projecting a beam of light forward.
Connally, an assistant professor focused on photography, is exhibiting. A mix of photography, installations and props based on stories. He was intrigued by the idea of representing an abstract idea and making it more visceral. When Irvin approached the concept, he leaned into the tone of the pieces, mood and contrasting objects.
The series depicts scenes retold by a 90-year-old, according to Connally.
“The objective is to make the pictures visually intriguing for the viewers to go into them and then when immersed in them, the viewers are free to go in any direction with the narrative,” Connally said.
Growing up in the Northwest, Connally is inspired by lakes, the traces that are left behind and the objects that collect over time in them. This can be seen in one of his favorite pieces on display, “He’Leine’s Elm,” a tree coming from the water.
Assistant professor Lee explored this exhibition’s theme through fiber art and sculpture. She loves mixing mediums, also creates video content to project her art.
Creating pieces from an idea into physical form is the “crux” of Lee’s work, she said. It might come across as too trendy for some, but that is precisely the point. She finds communication on the internet interesting.
“Translating ideas or memes into a ceramic bust or piece makes it very solid and real. In a way it is hard to feel that the internet is real,” Lee said.
Through Lee’s pieces, she wants the viewers to feel the joy, fun and connection to something seen on the internet before or something that is shared with friends. One of her pieces at the Anderson “The Weighted Pillow” has hands of Sarah Jessica Parker printed on them. An internet-based imagery representing the obsession people have with celebrities. Which Lee feels is minute since people are really focused on her hands looking older.
Lee would like the viewers to also physically feel the weight of the object itself. Which, in case of the printed hands, is literally being able to feel the weight of the hands — in a way feel the weight of the way we are communicating with each other on the internet, and how it is important.
“It’s very real and very unreal at the time,” Lee said.
Lee’s favorite piece she is displaying is “Rob Lowe and Horses.” It is one of the biggest pieces showcased in the series of her work which expresses the sketches she drew and her love for horses growing up.
The exhibition offers a wide range of work and installations which the viewers can interact, learn from and gain a fresh perspective on.
It will remain open for viewing from Jan. 23 to Feb. 21, from noon-6 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays and noon-5 p.m. on Saturdays.
More insights on the exhibition can be found on the art.vcu.edu/community-campus/the-anderson.
CORRECTION: This story has been updated to include Sarah Irvin’s most recent title.