by Hana Hetty Manuela
If you are a detail-oriented person, come and explore the details at the art exhibition “The Devil Is in Details” put on by Whitworth University. As the title suggests, the art exhibition expresses a catch or mysterious element hidden in the details.
The artists used recycled materials such as bed sheets, blankets, gift-wrap, pillows, rubber bands and even doll house flooring, and transformed the materials into beautiful artworks with deep details.
The collaboration between materials, colors, textures and shapes create the beauty of 17 pieces by artists Benjamin DeMott, Claire Hedden, Elisabeth Higgins O’Connor, Andy Messerschmidt and Joetta Maue.
The opening reception for the exhibition was held in the Bryan Oliver Gallery in the Lied Art Center on Tuesday, Sept. 15, and was attended by students, professors and community members.
After attendees viewed the pieces for an hour, the event continued with an artist talk with O’Connor and Messerschmidt.
During the talk, the artists explained their pieces and their creative process. Messerschmidt, who is predominantly a painter, spoke about his inspiration to include gift-wrap, stickers and other ornaments in his artwork.
O’Connor, who creates large animalistic sculptures, said she drew inspiration from the original illustration of Alice in Wonderland that haunted her imagination when she was child. She described the behind-scenes process of her art, and explained about the characteristic of her artwork.
“It becomes mysterious,” O’Connor said. “They are animals, but they are not animals, they are some kind figure, but we don’t know who they are.”
Ayobami Adedeji, a freshman art student who attended the event, enjoyed and was intrigued by O’Connor’s work.
“I got the idea that the artist is not only painting or using the computer,” Adedeji said. “[The art] is about life.”
Adedeji appreciated the exhibition and the artist talk and question and answer session that accompanied it.
“I think this is a nice event for freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors,” Adedeji said. “It was creative, different and inspirational.”
Many other students attended the opening event, including junior Mykaela Hendrix.
“I enjoyed the variety of artwork that was presented in the exhibition and I enjoyed that the artists talked about their work,” Hendrix said. “It’s so inspiring.”
For Whitworth students who have interest in art and would like to gain experience, some of the featured artists will teach workshops this fall. Covering a wide range of mediums from clay and sculpture to embroidery, the workshops are open to everyone regardless of skill level.
“The Devil Is in Details” is open until Oct. 30 at the Lied Center for the Visual Arts Bryan Oliver Gallery. It is free and open to the public. Gallery hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday
The exhibit is closed on official university holidays. For further information, please call (509) 777-3258.