Seton Gallery opened its doors for the first time this semester on Tuesday, September 27 and, from 4-7pm welcomed both faculty and students to peruse the art displayed. While students and faculty viewed the art they also enjoyed food from a local Chinese venue called Junzi, as well as a bake sale put together by the Interior Design students. The first art exhibit of every year is a faculty art show, displaying artwork of various style from University of New Haven faculty.
U.N.H. student Jordan Wojciekofsky says, “The night really showcases the talent of the school.”
The theme of the exhibit was “In Practice,” to reflect the various practices represented within the U.N.H. faculty. I is a nice opening of semester exhibit to remind students and the community of the amazing things the staff here accomplishes.
“Each artist chooses their practice, this exhibit showcases each artist and what their specific practice is and how that work relates to society,” says director of Seton Gallery, Laura Marsh.
Featured faculty members included John Arabolos, Guy-Serge Emmanuel, David Livingston, Jill Nichols, Tim Nikkiforuk, Jeff Ostergreen, Chris Passehl, Jesse Peck, Robert Rattner, Jamie Slenker, Joe Smolinski, and Javier Viramontes with piecing ranging from installation and interior design pieces to digital photography and sketched portraits. Various mediums could also be seen throughout the exhibit, ranging from spray paint, India ink, and oil to glitter, silicon, and Cheetos.
One memorable piece included a sculpture, created by Jesse Peck, featuring two chairs on a golden pole with a hodgepodge of pink ribbons attaching the piece to the wall. Also featured in this piece was two frames, with a heart in one and a ‘for big mistakes’ eraser in the other.
“The design captures the typical teenage heartbreak and dream all at once,” explains Peck. She continues saying, “I like using installation pieces to explore the line between art and interior design.”
Across the wall from this piece was a series of intricate drawings by Joseph Simolinski. He portrayed natural animals with one not-so-natural detail: a tracking collar. There were portraits of everything from a polar bear to a particularly thought-provoking butterfly. Dr. Roman Zajac, an ecologist and professor here at U.N.H., found the pieces particularly thought-provoking.
“It makes you think of the ying and yang between studying these animals and protecting them. It really makes you think,” he says.
Similar in theme to this display was Robert Rattner’s photographs of various invasive species in Long Island Sound. Rattner began his interest in photographing marine invasive species because he wanted to use visual stimulation to bring people’s attention to important issues that were typically overlooked.
“I like the combination of aesthetics and science,” says Rattner, “my pictures teach me a lot about things I would not otherwise know.”
Perhaps the most interesting piece at the exhibit was the one by Jeff Ostergreen, which featured Cheetos pasted to a painting to represent a sunset.
“I’m interested in molecular consumption and looking at how consumer products affect us,” says Ostergreen. He continues explaining. “I use pharmaceuticals a lot in my paintings. The history is interesting because medicine is grinded into the powder similar to the way paint was originally made.”
The night certainly had a wide range of pieces and riveting conversations between faculty and students. Faculty across all departments came out to support their co-workers and students followed in support of their professors.
Senior Cassandra Charles says, “it bonds the faculty and students in a unique way.” She continues saying, “the faculty’s personality shines through their work and we get to see who they really are.”
U.N.H. student Chris Forsberg says, “it reminds us all that they are not just teachers, they are artists too.”
Interior design student, Brianna Giglio perfectly described the night’s intent, “It’s important to see the work of all staff as an inspiration. It’s inspiring to see where they are and where we could be.”
