Through drawing, painting and mixed-media works TWU emerging artists respond to the complex and constantly shifting realities of living and studying during a global pandemic.
TWU emerging artists' current exhibition 2021 In Review is now on display at the SAMC Gallery inside TWU's Alloway Library until February 17, 2022.
Register for the Opening Reception on February 3, 2022 on Eventbrite.
With words and photos by Alysha Creighton, SAMC Sessional Assistant Professor of Art + Design
About the exhibition
This exhibition represents a cross section of the artwork created by SAMC Art + Design students over the course of 2021. Through drawing, painting and mixed-media works these emerging artists respond to the complex and constantly shifting realities of living and studying during a global pandemic.
During this year of profound loss, isolation, and uncertainty, art has served many as a way to make sense of this new reality.
An empty chair, a solitary figure, a disquieting internal landscape. Themes of interiority, dislocation and a longing for connection unite these stylistically diverse works. During this year of profound loss, isolation, and uncertainty, art has served many as a way to make sense of this new reality. In the midst of unrelenting change, these students have persisted in the slow and attentive work of honing their craft, deepening their creative capacities and discovering their authentic visual voice. Through the faithful work of simple attention, these young artists reveal the hidden gifts of this moment: beauty in longing, solitude in isolation, and faith in the face of uncertainty.
Alysha Creighton, SAMC Sessional Assistant Professor of Art + Design, explains that in order to be included in the exhibition, students had to submit an application as they would if applying for any professional gallery space. "I see this as an exciting opportunity for students to learn about professional practices in the visual arts and get experience submitting applications," she said.
Exploring paradox
Artist Chelsea Bradshaw spent many hours painting last year, each piece “marking a new period of growth as an artist.” Her work, Peaceful Paranoia, is a study on the contrast between peacefulness and safety against the sense of impending danger.
Emmalie Krusenstjerna also explores contrast in her work Let go and hold on. In her artist statement she shares that she chose a paradox in her title to show “letting go while simultaneously holding on," because she has found in her personal faith that "in order to hold on to Him, you must let go of everything else."
Mojgan Mirzapouralamdari dreams about a “world away from complicated and cumbersome rules”. In her statement about Real Yet Unreal and The Silent Scream, she writes that she wanted to “show the clarity and confusion” that exists within people.
Zachary Simonyi-Gindele also explores the effects of COVID-19, specifically within Angola. His work Some Little Things “entic[es) the viewer to consider others' experiences outside our immediate borders."
In Is this Real? Christiana Alisen captures the image of a person encased and trapped, “to illustrate restlessness experienced in this health crisis” and “the lack of control we have in the face of COVID-19.” Zachary Simonyi-Gindele also explores the effects of COVID-19, specifically within Angola. His work Some Little Things “entic[es) the viewer to consider others' experiences outside our immediate borders."
Mojgan Mirzapouralamdari dreams about a “world away from complicated and cumbersome rules”.
Rachel Kehler captures the shapes of leaves and their designs against emptiness in Negative Space. Janelle Ryan similarly studies the relationship between subject and space in A Study in Space, while Riley Wiebe takes on motion versus stillness in Moving Picture Made Still.
Abigail Broadhurst chose to portray vulnerability in spiritual communion through her work Unguarded Posture, and Amelia Thorpe reflects on the need to consider others over onesself in Self-serving. Emily Goodbrand explores her identity as an introvert through A Guide to the Introvert: A Self-Diagnosis.
De Tang captures the contradiction of the concrete and the imagined in Dreams & Reality. Yejun Lee also explores contrasting emotions in Heart, placing viewers before “conflicting ideas that are sinister, yet sensitive and bright.”
The exhibition 2021 In Review is now on display at the SAMC Gallery inside TWU's Alloway Library until February 17, 2022.
Register for the Opening Reception on February 3, 2022 on Eventbrite.
- Artist Talk | February 3 | 6:15-7:00 pm
- Reception | February 3 | 7:00-8:30 pm
- Location | SAMC Gallery, Norma Marion Alloway Library 22500 University Drive, Langley, B.C.
- Find current Gallery hours at twu.ca/library.
See past SAMC exhibitions on the SAMC Gallery Exhibitions webpage.
The artists who participated in 2021 In Review are:
Abigail Broadhurst
Andrea Franks
Anna Tamblyn
Amelia Thorpe
Christiana Alisen
Chelsea Bradshaw
De Tang (Alex)
Emmalie Krusenstjerna
Emily Goodbrand
June Lee
Janelle Ryan
Mojgan Mirzapouralamdari
Rachel Kehler
Riley Wiebe
Zachary Simonyi-Gindele
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has four campuses: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.