Photo by Karen Tome

Photo by Karen Tome

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and there was much of it to behold at the Southwestern College Student Art Exhibit. Painters, illustrators, designers, sculptures, woodworkers and printmakers blended their creativity in an impressive array of talent and vision.

It was a great mixture of culture and diversity around the school and in our community. Many of the pieces were for sale, ranging from $50-$200, but some were thousands of dollars. Most were worth it.

Perhaps the most breathtaking was the largest piece of art, “Raft of the Medusa,” a mural created by 20 students. Originally a painting by Théodore Géricault, the mural depicted a group of men stranded at stormy sea on a battered wooden raft.  Many lying dead and naked, their sheets of clothing created the sail or a signal to a ship that lies just on the horizon. Made from pieces of the raft itself, the mast represents a cross, or faith in a greater power.

One of the most politically charged and beautiful works was Sandra Baker’s sculpture “We are Your Universe,” displaying the body of a woman decorated in a jeweled crown and necklace. A collection of strings exude from her head, representing knowledge and perception. Flowers and a collection of planets surrounded her, representing women as the creators of life who carry the potential of the universe within them. Her clothing is covered in powerful messages such as “Girls are valuable” and “Women are more than sex objects,” which aim to empower women and acknowledge persecution. Baker’s richly evocative creation was the highest priced piece of art at $5,000. A bargain.

Cynthia M. Beltran’s piece, “In Touch With Nature,” was also inspiring. It shows a human head, covered in sunglasses and stereo headphones, with wires protruding from the back of his neck. Representing humanity’s struggle balancing technology and nature, each sunglass lens has a picture of a landscape to remind us of the beauty we take for granted every day.

With no mouth, it cannot communicate or express itself, furthering isolation. Headphones show how humans intentionally cut off their own senses and their lack of awareness of their environment.

This piece was offered for $2,000.

In an exhibit filled with great art a few things missed.

Large 3-D depictions of “The Pink Panther” and the “Minion” from the Disney movie “Despicable Me,” were nostalgic, but derivative among such unique and inspired pieces of art.

Digital images were mostly shots of landscapes or people. While beautiful and crisp, most did not invoke passion or wonder.

Some did.

Michael Cook’s image of cigarettes stacked and being served on a platter like a fancy meal was fascinating. The table is set with fancy silverware and dishes, and the smokes are even topped by a garnish.

Andrew Garcia’s “Aces” showed a well-groomed handsome young man wearing a black leather jacket. He lays on his back in the grass as a deck of cards falls around him. His expression shows vulnerability, allowing his image of strength and charm to fall aside to show the man hiding behind.

SWC’s Student Art Exhibit lived up to its legacy of launching great artists out into the world. Some new talent is clearly on its way.