Six Middle Tennessee State University Seniors Host Art Show

By Emily Ford

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Six Middle Tennessee State University Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art degree candidates hosted the opening of their senior show with their exhibit “Inertia” on Nov. 18 at the Todd Art Gallery.

The students have worked on their artworks in the exhibit for nearly four months. They have explored numerous mediums and techniques in classes in the MTSU Art Department, but each chose one medium for their work in the exhibit. “Inertia” showcased diverse artworks from the graduating students. It occurred through Nov. 27. The gallery is located in Todd Hall on MTSU’s campus.

The works showcased in the exhibit were by Brian Bailey, sculpture; Carissa Gay, sculpture; Laney Humphrey, sculpture; Mariela Poptoleva-Clause, sculpture; Sheila Smotherman, painting; and Michael Stem, printmaking.

Bailey explored themes of control, balance and the transformation of form and space in his nonrepresentational sculptures. He utilized both nontraditional and traditional materials in his works.

Stasis by Brian Bailey

Gay chose sculpture as her focus because of her struggles with dyslexia as a child. She learned at a young age to sculpt letters to help her learn to read. For her sculptures in the exhibit, she chose to explore the use of the sacred torus form.

Diffeomorphic Revolution by Carissa Gay

Humphrey sculpted grotesque human forms to explore the effects of emotions. She accompanied these forms with ceramic birds to represent demons such as thoughts, obsessions and memories.

Bird Feeder by Laney Humphrey

Poptoleva-Clause used life around her, photographs and past works as inspiration for her sculptures. She experimented with color, structure and surface qualities in her ceramic vessels.

Glitter II by Mariela Poptoleva-Clause

Smotherman’s oil paintings depicted glass bottles hanging from strings. The bottles represent ideas and the strings represent the way we make connections between these ideas.

Brain Wave by Sheila Smotherman

            “The theme of my body of work is internal and external communication,” said Stem. “My prints illustrate the masks we wear and fronts we put on in front of others. I explored the notion that even when we are around others, we are isolated in our minds.”

First, Now by Michael Stem

“The name ‘Inertia’ was chosen after a long debate between the artists,” said Stem. “We wanted something sounding positive but that was not too long. We wanted the name to punctuate the ending of school. I suggested we use ‘Inertia’ because it means something in motion stays in motion, like us as artists.”

When asked how he thought the show turned out, Stem responded, “Beautifully. I think it was one of the better openings in the gallery in a long time.”

A senior exhibit is held every semester by students graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in the Fine Arts with a Studio Art focus. The students are responsible for organizing and curating the event.

When asked how he felt about the exhibit being a requirement, Stem said, “It should absolutely be a requirement. It is stressful and awkward but shows you how something like that would work in the real world. It is a group effort, so you learn to

compromise and deal with the different personalities of the artists. In the end, it is extremely rewarding.”

Dates for the Spring 2014 senior exhibit have yet to be announced. Visit the Todd Art Gallery page on MTSU’s website (http://www.mtsu.edu/art/barngallery/index.php) for updates on upcoming gallery showings.

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