See This Show!

The second of three senior shows this semester, Tidal Wave II is one of the finest in recent years. Including the strongest work from several of the most accomplished artists currently on campus, it has been a predictable success. While all of the artists in the exhibition can be considered exemplary products of Kennesaw State’s art program, there were a few participants that were especially remarkable.

Showing her proficiency in a varied body of work, Sarah Daly is clearly one of the stars of this show. The most memorable piece for me was “I Know Where You Live”, a phone book with ink drawings of homes corresponding with one of the addresses on that page. While making the viewer slightly uncomfortable, it brings up the increasingly important issue of personal privacy. Other notable pieces included the mixed media works “Map 53” and “Map 21”, which use layers of maps and paint to achieve a complex and dramatic result.

Brandon Crawford’s series of handsome nudes are dichotomies of ethereal and substantial, beautiful but mysterious. This effect is produced through her technique of monochromatic subtractive painting, where the figure is carved out of the paint. Though the figures are large in scale, the poses and cropping help retain a feeling of intimacy. Another remarkable piece is “You’d Never Know to Look at Her”, which is the artist’s self-portrait in a pink wig and lingerie. The pose is unique and her painting produces the appearance of realistic textures in the clothing and hair.

The other standout from this exceptional group of artists is Jessica Blinkhorn. Much of her work focuses on personal issues, such as her physical handicap. Though she may have limited use of her arms and hands, her drawings are exquisite. Blinkhorn effectively communicates with the viewer through the depiction of her own emotions, such as in the piece entitled “What God Does to One of His Own”. She also uses interesting techniques such as burning areas of the paper with tobacco ash and staining the paper with coffee. Her piece “Sight” is an example of Blinkhorn’s use of Plexiglas to float her piece, edges burned and ragged, on the wall. These, combined with her considerable technical skills, make her pieces noteworthy.

This exhibition is definitely worth attending, despite the effort it takes due to the gallery’s odd hours. Overall, the show is a testament to the quality of the art program at KSU.

S. Wieland