Juror Statement
When asked to serve in a curatorial role for the exhibition at MSUB, I considered the best way to approach a group of submissions composed of very disparate works - both in media, artistic choices, and subject matter. Ultimately, as is the case when conducting a course, I chose to select and evaluate works primarily on the overall dedication, appropriate level of craft, and execution I felt was present in each project. As an educator, artist, and gallery/museum patron, I often encounter work that is different to the work I produce myself, and continually revisit works I once didn鈥檛 appreciate (and may now, or still may not appreciate), find new favorites, and gain respect for a variety of artistic approaches, styles, and artists. Hopefully, as you continue in your career and on your path, each of you will push yourselves to do the same.
The exhibition represents an eclectic mixture of traditional art practices, craft-oriented works, and less established additions to the field. Throughout the show glimpses of Leonora Carrington, Claes Oldenburg, Jackie Ranken, Sam Raimi/Trent Harris, Maria and Julian Martinez, and Pipilotti Rist (to list just a few) can be found. The show embraces the relevance/validity/and need for the variety of forms of artistic expression one can, and should, find within the field of contemporary art.