By Robin Giles ’12, Staff Writer

If you’ve walked through the arts wing recently, you may have noticed the rather cryptic quotation painted on the wall.  It is in fact not vandalism (as hypothesized by some), but one of Emily Ullmann’s contributions to the recently displayed senior gallery exhibit.  She, like many IB artists, is busy preparing for the defining moment in the two year course: the Senior Art Show.At the end of their senior year, all the artists enrolled in IB Art and Advanced Art are required to participate ina gallery show.  Typically there are two shows, but this year, with an abundance of artists, there will be three.  Shows typically hang for about three weeks, and include a reception one afternoon or evening to give a chance for the community to converse with the artists about their work, and to congratulate them on exhibiting their senior portfolio.

Unlike the other exhibits displayed in the McGraw gallery throughout the year, the senior show is entirely student-organized.  “It’s left up to the kids to plan, compose, and hang the show,” says Jay Torson, an IB Art teacher.  “We’re trying to give them the opportunities, as well as responsibilities, that an independent artist might have.”  Eric Neiman ’11, an IB artist whose work will be featured in the first show, added, “It’s not as simple as it might seem.  Hanging a show isn’t just pinning art to a wall.  We have to carefully select and hang each piece in a way that will be dynamic and visually appealing.”

It will certainly be a challenge for artists to take advantage of the McGraw Gallery’s compelling shape and atmosphere.  This year, the first group of the three senior shows chose the title “Souled Out” for their exhibit.  Each group decides on an overarching theme to pull together their artwork, but the shows are also representative of the diverse mediums, styles, and ideas that the artists bring to their shows.  This diversity lends to a convergence of two and three dimensional pieces, displayed on gallery walls and pedestals, that together light up the gallery space.

Of the first exhibit, Emily Ullmann’s wall-art, entitled “Thoughts,” is perhaps the most prominent and polarizing piece, focusing on the conflict between religion and science.  “I want my art to really make people think – to question what they are told. With ‘Thoughts” I am trying to show that when you really question religion, it becomes almost impossible to defend.”  Clearly a conceptual, statement piece, the artist has put a great deal of thought and effort into not only the technical aspects of her work, but also the means of displaying it to her audience.  If her intent was to provoke thought and discussion, she was certainly successful: students and faculty alike have been abuzz with conversation regarding her piece.  Some have considered it distasteful because of its open critique of religion.  Others, however, have celebrated its provocative nature and daring statement.  As Pranav Katti ‘12 put it, “It was courageous of Emily to make such a polarizing piece of art, and the fact that she put it on display for the entire community demands respect.”  This same concept in many ways applies to all of the artists in the show, who have invested so much time and care into art that now hangs in the gallery.

In addition to Emily Ullmann, the first group of artists features the works of Katherine Bu, Eric Neiman, Marie Quintana, and David Webster.  Katie and David typically work in two dimensional mediums, while Eric and Marie spend most of their time in ceramics.  Together, with the balance of drawings and paintings hanging in conjunction with displays of three dimensional figures and ceramic pieces, the show makes good use of the gallery space with its diverse offerings.

The first senior exhibit will hang through to spring break, after which point the second two galleries will hang through April.  Despite the daunting prospect of planning each element of the show, senior artists remain enthusiastic to display their work, and excited about the process.  As Advanced artist Katie Bu put it, “It’s a really fun and unique experience, and I’m glad we have the freedom to present our art this way.”

Enigmatic, intriguing, and skillful, this year’s Senior Art shows will doubtlessly be ones to remember.