John Fronczak
308.865.8084
The second in a series of Senior Art shows at the University of Nebraska at Kearney opened this week in the Walker Art Gallery on the campus.
Geoffrey Peterson of Grand Island, Carissa Overton of Omaha and Rachel Vogel of Howells have their work on display, now through April 20. A reception will be held at 2 – 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 14, in the Walker Art Gallery.
Peterson’s work includes: oil paintings on canvas titled “Maggie at Herrell’s,” “Self-Portrait” and “Untitled”; chalk pastel on paper, “Venus in front of the Mirror”; charcoal on paper, “The Warrior”; and graphite on paper, “The Ballerina” and “The Athlete,” among others.
“People are complex and beautiful in many ways,” Peterson said. “I will consider my project complete if my audience comes to understand that as well. We are very curious and brilliant beings. Our society and remnants from past ones are evidence of that.
“Unlike other creatures we make these complex and lasting objects, and arguable one of the highest or most uniquely human creation are the arts,” Peterson said. “Fittingly, I have chosen to use my skills in art to make this body of work, which shows my appreciation of humanity.”
After graduation, Peterson plans to get an internship with a gallery or design firm to further his learning while gaining work experience in the field.
Overton’s work will include: steel, “Nightmare”; oil, “Letting Go” and “Traveling to the Other World”; bronze and various objects, “Trapped”; photographs, “Forgotten Lessons,” “Storm Coming” and “Mother”; and digital media, “Cleanse” and “Growth and Age,” among others.
“Life is organic,” Overton said. “It twists and turns, and has no definite pattern, lines or beginnings. Life is a cycle in which there are no endings. Without destruction there is no creation. Without terrible sadness there is no absolute joy. Without any shortcoming there is no improvement.
“Time and time again life reminds us of the joy that will eventually follow a great sadness, the new life death allows, the growth our troubles bring, the shades between the black and white,” Overton said.
Vogel’s work will include: oil paintings, “Courtyard,” “Church,” “White Chandelier” and “Castle”; and pastels, “Chandelier,” “Street,” “Alley” and “Fountain,” among others.
“What I want to do as an artist is reveal objective truth to others,” Vogel said. “The objective truth that I want to reveal deals not only with the way the world actually is, but also the way that it is meant to be. This means that we all have a purpose. I want to help reveal that purpose, and that we have the hope of attaining it.”
After graduation, Vogel plans to continue her studies at the graduate level while being employed an art-related field. She also plans to continue selling her artwork and conducting a youth art camp.
The Walker Art Gallery, which is located in the UNK Fine Arts Building, is open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. There is no admission charge.
