Imagine a white room contrasted by sculptures and the projection of a drowning house against one of its walls, all adding up together to express obstacles, setbacks and mishaps. This is "Frontier Delay," a graduate student-run exhibit by The Art Grads of ASU (TAG) in conjunction with International Sculpture Conference’s “New Frontiers in Sculpture” conference.
The gallery contains a room which focuses on three-dimensional mediums and relates “frontier” through works that represent the misadventures, stumbling blocks and casualties of advancement.
Garth Johnson is the curator of ceramics at the ASU Art Museum, studio artist, writer and educator. He will announce the best in show, juror choice award and the peoples' choice award at the opening reception on Friday, Nov. 6 from 1 to 2 p.m.
TAG is an organization that was created during the 2015 spring semester. Today, the group has 20 active members, each with the goal of bringing awareness to the art scene around the hidden gem of Grant Street in Phoenix.
Art graduate students discuss obstacles, setbacks and mishaps through "Frontier Delay" exhibit. @statepress pic.twitter.com/DHYghnaAy8
— Ryan Santistevan (@ryanerica18) October 27, 2015
Chris Vena, the president of TAG and painting graduate student, said the first day has been successful in its ability to attract students within its walls of pieces that speak to those who enter. He brought his Drawing 101 class to view the exhibit, each asking and contemplating the meaning that the artist seemed to be portraying.
"It's been really positive so far," Vena said. "I think it's pretty high quality and the artists did a great job."
The submission process for the exhibit was closed to artists age 18 and older. Ceramics graduate student Elliot Kayser, a member of TAG, explained that though the exhibit welcomed local artists, 70 percent of the applicants were ASU-oriented.
"We waved ASU student application fees to encourage students to be present for the conference," Kayser said. "I'd say up-and-coming names have submitted to our show. We got about 30 applications and accepted 19 artists, but we have 23 pieces in the show."
Christina Kemp is a member of TAG, contributor to the exhibit and sculpture graduate student. One of her pieces which resembles a red bucket can be seen on their promotional flyer.
"We think it represents the theme of the show really well," Kayser said. "We think it's really graphic and great for advertising the show."
Kemp said she was honored to have her piece featured on the poster and went on to explain the significance of her work.
"My piece is part of a larger ongoing series: object permanence," Kemp said. "I was looking at using these mundane household objects and removing about 90 percent of the material by drilling holes into it. I'm taking away the function and most of the material but it is still pretty much recognizable for what the object is."
This exhibition will be on view at the Harry Wood Gallery at ASU's Tempe campus from Oct. 26 to Nov. 13, 2015.
"I think the reception is fun, there's going to be lots of food and energy," Kayser said. "So I think it's a really great collection. Garth did a good job curating and it's bright, vibrant and shows the sculpture community what ASU has to offer."
Related links:
Walk into the mind of artist Miguel Angel Rios with 'Landlocked' at the ASU Art Museum in Tempe
Six Andy Warhol works donated to ASU Art Museum
Reach the reporter at rsantist@asu.edu or follow @ryanerica18 on Twitter.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on Twitter.
