Throughout the academic year, the Southern University (SU) Department of Visual Arts hosts a total of four art exhibitions to showcase the visual works of students and artists within the university’s artistic community.
Each highly anticipated showcase offers viewers the chance to experience a variety of pieces that depict each artist’s personal creativity. Themes of the exhibition vary based upon the season, but the show is always unforgettable.
The current display in the SU Art Gallery is titled, Next Generation Of FIYAH! The concept was derived from younger artists that are doing vibrant work that is considered to be ‘fire’ quality.
The works presented in the gallery were created using mediums such as digital photography, acrylic on canvas, acrylic on masonite, and many more.
Curated by SU Alumna and SUSLA/SU Connect English instructor, Jade Meyers, the homecoming-inspired exhibition captures the artistic vision of various artists such as Bryan Brown, Kara Mariee, Taylor S. Hunter, Kristen Downing, Amira Maxwell, Adam Vo, and TySolo.
According to Meyers, these artists were chosen for their standout work in the industry, each bringing a different element to the table.
“When choosing the artists for the exhibition, I looked for artist whose works resonate. I sought after skillful, original, and aesthetically pleasing works of art through different mediums,” she said.
The only SU student of the bunch, Adam Vo, has three original pieces on display in the exhibition, Man of Truth, Sage, and Yellow in the Sun, which were all created using digital and film photography.
Meyers herself graduated from the university in 2013 after spending time working under the instruction of SU’s very own renowned art professors.
Gallery Director, Dr. Robert Cox recalled Jade’s time as a student to be quite pleasant and productive as he reflected upon her role as curator for the exhibition.
“When [Jade] was a student she would come in to the gallery and work with me on her own time. She had developed an interest so strong that after she graduated she would still come and work with me,” Cox said.
Favorites of the show include ‘Kicks’ by Taylor S. Hunter and ‘Ekto’ by TySolo. The two pieces are on opposite sides of the medium spectrum, created using digital photography and oil on canvas respectively.
Hunter is a 23-year-old freelance photographer from Marksville, LA who decided to pursue her passions in photography after studying psychology in undergrad. Cox deemed her piece, ‘Kicks’, a favorite for, “. . .a number of reasons. Right off of the top, the fact that it is in black and white. . .in black and white, it is something very special and powerful. Very profound.”
‘Ekto’, TySolo’s very first science-fiction inspired piece, depicts a shapeshifter whose form is still being found, but the essence of who she used to be is still transitioning. The painting represents the new direction TySolo is taking as a self-taught artist.
The show includes 25 pieces that all have their own individuality, so choosing a favorite may be difficult for many like Meyers who says, “I have a favorite element from each artist. They all brought FIYAH!”
If you are interested in viewing the exhibition and indulging in works displaying artistic representations of 2Pac, J. Cole, Willow Smith, and many more, visit the exhibition in Hayden Hall Art Gallery through November 9 between 10AM and 4PM.
(Kicks/Taylor S. Hunter) Digital Photography 16" x 20"