The Future of Art is Fine by Genie Davis
Guest critiquing at NYU Abu Dhabi last November, I had the pleasure of attending a presentation of art students’ works in Projects in Painting, a class conducted by Susan Ossman, artist and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies; Visiting Professor of Movements and Places, Movement and Cultural Practices.
The students’ work focused on technology and its representation in and alteration to the practice of their art. Some students were majoring in art, others in film, new media, psychology, and creative writing among others. Each displayed an intuitive and impressive ability to project their vision and shape works that encompassed various areas of technology and intimate self-perception.
Among the students presenting were Ahmed Alakberi, Abdulla AlHosani, Manal Aljaeedi, Shamma Alkaabi, Sara Alrayssi,
Bruna Araujo Pereira, Ayazhan Gabitkyzy, Honey Htun, and Charlotte Hall.
The awesome work above was created as an acrylic painting based on a photographic image taken by a LEGO camera built by the artist. Fun, cool, and the ultimate in multi-media.
This sculptural work – with lushly painted images on the wooden platform, cleverly incorporated LED lighting.
A super series of interlocking fish formed this vibrant, stackable sculpture.
Here, the artist has created two separate books with fascinating painted covers. On the right is a bejeweled “Mae’r Dechreuad,” on the left, in haunting black and white, is “The Last Word.”
Beads, flowers, and a bejewled heart serves as an interconnected web representing both the artistic heart and the biological in this sharp work.
This student artist’s self-portrait contrasts vivid internal color with the external white of eyes, lips, and T-shirt for a fascinating and intimate personal expression.
Here the artist riff’s on a video game figure moving through a magical landscape of abstract paint in a richly dimensional work.
The mastery and self-awareness in these young artists’ work was impressive and exciting. See for yourself: this is the vision of tomorrow’s sharp, smart, and lovely international art world. And look for their names in the years to come!
- Genie Davis; photos by Genie Davis, photo of myself by Susan Ossman