The Kittredge Art Gallery proudly presents two captivating exhibits this fall showcasing the work of renowned artists Jessica Bender and Susan Seubert.
Just to the left of Diversions Cafe, art lovers or curious students can step into the world of contemporary art and gain new ideas and perspectives.
Bender, who has also had work displayed at the Telephone Room Gallery and Spaceworks, was inspired by the recent loss of her mother to create the installation of “Dejection.”
The pain and darkness associated with losing a loved one is evident in the space of the Large Gallery where the lighting and pieces of her mother’s clothing and jewelry are incorporated into the exhibit.
Crow heads symbolizing her mother’s affinity towards that animal are strewn across a black laced piece of her mother’s dress that lead to a shrine-like frame.
Slabs imprinted with scissors lined up against the wall decorate the room, along with a massive black and white body of fabric lifted off the floor that gives off a sort of eerie sense.
Walking into the room, one could almost immediately feel the heaviness of the theme and nuances of death in the colors and symbols.
Senior Selena Aston enjoys the interactive pieces of the display and different angles created by the 3D subjects.
Exploring the fears of modern day, Susan Seubert’s exhibit will have you literally facing your fears as you enter a room filled with photograph›s of irrational fears.
Taken from her exhibition “phobias and Neurasthenia” the pictures have you contemplating reasons behind fears such as homophobia or the fear of mice and why or why not those fears exist at all.
After examining them all you may find yourself wondering if your own fears are rational and the reasons behind them.
This gallery boldly examines the terror within the human mind with masterful photography techniques and coloration.
Students and especially the art majors of Puget Sound appreciate this accessible art gallery.
“I really like the subject matter of both artists and the minimalist aspect of their styles,” Abbie Baldwin remarked.
She also found the installation process of “Dejection” to be interesting and informative.
Yvonne Wetzig, found the gallery to be a comforting place, and a “good way to release” after a day of exams and classes.
Gallery Manager Margaret Bullock researched the schedules of classes to figure out which types of artists would be relating to what the students are studying.
Looking for a variety of different media that represented the program, she decided to offer a space in the Kittredge Gallery to Bender as a place to display her installation.
To match the dark themes in “Dejection,” Bullock decided “it made the most sense to pair the two together” with Seubert’s photographic display of human fears and worries.
She added, “I hope it is a good resource for the students and inspires them to do new things with new ideas. Having the art displayed in the building where students frequently walk by is something I hope to be useful and keep people interested, informed, or to simply to see something new.”
These works will only be available for a limited amount of time. Although the galleries represent very dark themes one cannot deny the beauty behind the pieces.
If you get bored between classes or feel the sudden need to immerse yourself in contemporary art be sure to visit the gallery.
Kittredge Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday’s.
Bender’s artwork will be on display at Kittredge through Nov. 3, and Seubert’s until Sept. 22.
