Some paintings and artists are predictable. The title of a piece can lead to automatic visualizations of a boat on the ocean water behind a setting sun, just like hundreds of paintings before it. This is not the case with Margaret Bowland’s paintings. They leave you uncomfortable, but it’s nearly impossible to look away.

The Seton Art Gallery opened with a refreshing and intriguing display on Nov. 19, entitled Fall from Grace. The gallery opened at 6 p.m., and people crowded around the collection of paintings by Bowland. At first, some seemed intimidated to get too close to something 70 inches tall and 50 inches wide, especially when the subject was nude. Eventually, people desired to get a better look, and inched their way closer until coming face to face with the linen.

At 7 p.m., gallery curator Laura Marsh snaped people out of their gaze, and a poetry reading commenced. Randall Horton, a professor in the English department, and a student from his fall poetry class shared their work, inspired by Bowland’s paintings.

Bowland then discussed her work, and the discomfort it produces. Her paintings explore the political and social implication of themes such as beauty, gender and race. She recalls living in a time when such ideas had strong ties to each other, when one color only was thought to be correct. Bowland describes how as a child she once went to the water fountain for colored people before her mom briskly pulled her away. Race was part of her youth, and is a theme that has transcended to her paintings; she always desired to challenge the standards.

“Wedding Cake,” shows a nude African American woman and younger girl flanked by a giant ornate cake. The brushstrokes are soft, but the subject is striking. One student inquired if Bowland has ever run into legality problems concerning child pornography. She remarked that if that was the case, it would be with the painting “Wedding Cake.”

“I was obsessed with painting people, telling their stories,” Bowland said. It is almost impossible to believe that the artwork is not a real scene unfolding.

Bowland enjoys working with children, remarking on their grace and pureness. “They don’t know anything about the political correctness or incorrectness of what they’re doing.” Many of her paintings include children, and this can certainly cause one to wonder how such young participants have patience. “Between M&M’s and cartoons, I’m gold,” reassured Bowland.

As a child, Bowland was always intrigued by art, starting with doodles and sketches as a way to pass the time. She drew to calm herself down, and used to paint portraits of people. Bowland studied art at the University of North Carolina, in Chapel Hill. In college, she would paint anyone willing to sit, and then give them their paintings as compensation, while she was constantly honing her talent.

Bowland’s work has been displayed in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, where she received the People’s Choice Award in the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. Currently, she resides in Brooklyn, N.Y., and is a professor at the New York Academy of Art.

“The greatest gift a person can give to someone is to understand them,” said Margaret, who is thankful for those people who have done just that. She urges people to appreciate the value of seeing art in person.

“It’s like having sex,” she says, “You can’t substitute a picture for an actual experience in bed,” to which a chorus of laughs and head nods commenced. Bowland’s work will be on display until Dec. 11, in the Seton Art Gallery. Come see for yourself what all the talk is about.