2008 Woodie Awards
Students present skill and talent in emotional display
By: Holly Stahl
Issue date: 4/5/06 Section: News
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Staff Writer
North Greenville University's Art department featured artwork from two graduating students whose differing influences focused solely on giving God glory for inspiration. Betsy Price, senior interdisciplinary studies, and Michelle Ells Wright, senior art both showcased art pieces that reflected learning in life as well as skill. The showcase was one of the remaining cultural events offered on-campus.
During the event, Price and Wright expressed personal insight on their respective pieces. The theme encompassing Wright's works is "Into the Woods," crediting her father's impact on her life for the theme of her artwork. "My father always admired and respected God's handiwork, and he imparted to me how it is important to respect nature. In the woods is where you can find God's most intricate design and art," said Wright.
Price also revered nature within her work and felt it was necessary that her audience understand the themes in her work as well. "The love knot silhouetted in the back is a constant, while the vines extend outward, where we sometimes extend ourselves from His love which is constant," said Price.
One of the poignant statements made by Zac Buser, art instructor, was that "Skill and talent are equally necessary to develop art. It's not just a question of 'Am I good?' but 'Can I recreate what I see?'" It is not only encouragement for current art students to continue developing their talent, but to hone skills necessary to create art. The idea Buser presented also encourages non-art students to attempt art not just "to make something that looks pretty," but to use a taught skill to express emotion, thought, and to "carry on a conversation. To create dialogue with the viewer and gain an emotional response."
The night was not without emotions through tears. While explaining how Wright's father influenced her, and also while Price explained some of her pieces, the depth of meaning behind each piece provided the catalyst for tears. "There is so much to explain, so much more behind art, and unless you hear the explanation for yourself, all you would see is yellow and purple vines with a big knot in the background," said Price.
Wright's favorite pieces consist of one entitled "Bill", a composite teapot that is very detailed with ornate designs and two large, emphatic curls, one for the handle and the other as a spout. The story behind the piece is interesting. "My soon-to-be ex-husband is clinically bipolar and is very intricate, and, he, as well as the pot, is dysfunctional," said Wright. Another is a monochromatic piece that consists of a skeletal hand grasping at velvet, a very luxurious fabric, representative of "man's grasp at the beautiful, the desire for life, to which man is continually grasping," said Wright.
Both Price and Wright have been involved in art since they were able to lift a crayon. While Price has only been developing her skill since high school art classes, Wright began receiving advice and guidance when she was four years old and a local artist moved next door to her. Most of Price's art can be found in her own personal collection. However, Wright's work can be seen at numerous places in Greenville County. Northwest Middle School has a mural with places of interest in Greenville County not far from the main entrance. The mural was done while the ordinance against Christian images was passed in Greenville county schools. "It's up near the top where you can see a cross where Pretty Place is," said Wright.
The potential these graduating North Greenville University art students have is obvious by the comments given by students. "I think she'll (Wright) be famous one day," said Kari Blaylock, senior Christian studies.
"I like the way they incorporate nature into their artwork," said Daniel Cannone, junior biology, regarding both artists' work. The truth behind this statement is surprising.
While Wright was inspired by nature, her "second home where you could spend hours," Price used actual objects from nature to create some pieces. One piece is drawn onto paper by charcoal. Charcoal is burnt wood, and Price used it as well as chlorophyll and dirt to color and add variance to the picture of the tree. The piece itself has great symbolism behind it. "Whether dating or friendships, the roots grow deeper in relationships as you build them. The length of the roots and the number of rings a tree has tells the age of a tree just as the length of a relationship and the experiences shared expresses the intimacy," said Price.
Also, based on a picture provided by Elizabeth Sain of two widows in Macedonia, Price used blueberry juice to compose the image of the two widows. Also, the blue coloring represents a blueprint for the church, how the church today should be. "When you hear 'church' people automatically think of a building, but the church is the people, a gathering of Christians giving praise to God. These two widows provide a blueprint for the church because they are humble," said Price.
The range of maturity both with age and levels of skill is great between Price and Wright, but their focus is the same. They seek to glorify God in all of their work, to express and share what they've learned, and continue to seek Him as their inspiration.
"He created all of it to begin with; all artists do is see it and reflect it through mortal ideas," said Buser.