Holding On and Letting Go
During Festival Day on April 26, the Richard F. Brush Art Gallery opened its doors to a new exhibition entitled “what we hold” (intentionally stylized in all lowercase letters). The gallery features 12 unique senior students of the Art & Art History program, including Brianna Bachinski ’24, Lydia Fedorowich ’24, Kat Gallipo ’24, Emily Giorgi ’24, Caroline Keller ’24, Natani Kent-Earle ’24, Ileana Knight ’24, Clarissa Grace Kurtaliaj ’24, Grace Nelson ’24, Hannah Porath ’24, Alejandra Altamirano S. ’24 and Lola Thompson ’24.
Each piece of artwork relates to a changing perspective regarding “holding.” Each artist forms their own unique outcome from that prompt and creates vastly different techniques. Gallipo’s artwork is inspired by a doll-like anime style shaped by her childhood of nu metal and hard rock. This “hell,” as she describes, is what she holds onto, “fueled by music and memories.”
In another perspective, Altamirano S. created snapshots of several important settings throughout her life, ranging from her nostalgic hometown to the chaotic Dana Dining Center. Alternatively, Kurtaliaj spent the semester writing and designing a series of poems to be printed directly from the printing studio in the Noble Center. The poems characterize identity and nature into an interwoven series of dissection on the self.
The exhibition has been marketed by the image of “Keeping Promises”: two woodcut hands highlighted with inviting shades of dark blue. The artwork was created by Porath, a staple student of the Art & Art History program. In her artist’s statement, she encourages “viewers to think about what the hand positions and color could mean in relation to the ideals that they hold in their lives.” Porath’s experience of creating her work was just as important as its product. “While there were some tough days and disagreements, we were able to build a close-knit, supportive group,” she states. “The feedback of my work has been great, and I am currently working on other pieces to expand the series. As for life after St. Lawrence, … I am attending Tufts SMFA program to further my knowledge of art!” Porath’s work is also featured on the cover and several pages of the Spring 2024 edition of The Laurentian Magazine.
What is most unique is the different interpretations between physical and emotional holding, creating a grand dichotomy across the whole exhibit and the individual pieces. But the artists always leave enough room for the viewer to imagine their own holding. As the artists state in their collective statement, “this exhibition provides a window into personal and communal experiences and explorations of holding. This is what we hold.”
In addition to “what we hold,” the Brush Gallery is also hosting a month-long experimental exhibition entitled “One Earring,” a project in conjunction with St. Lawrence University’s Native American Affairs. The project encouraged members of the St. Lawrence community and beyond to donate one or more earrings to be use as a part of the exhibit. These earrings came to life when the exhibition opened on April 30 in the Winston Room of the Sullivan Student Center. The opening presentation featured the Seven Dancers Coalition of Akwesasne. The exhibition will coincide with the recently declared National Missing & Indigenous Persons Awareness Day on May 5. For more information, visit the Richard D. Brush Art Gallery website for more information on how to get involved.
Looking ahead, the gallery will present a new exhibition from May 30 to September 21. “Change is a More Accurate Measure of Time” is a collection of 12 photographs by SLU alumnus Mark Klett ’74.This will be a great feature for any local community members or students studying on campus over the sum- mer. A gallery reception with Klett willbeheldonMay31at3p.m.