Undergraduate Show 2022

Undergraduate Introduction and Awards

There is no easy time to make art. It’s something you have to dedicate yourself to and show up for no matter what else is going on. That’s why artists often describe what we do as a practice, we are literally practicing our skills over and over, day in and day out. Some of those days are fluid and fun while others are extremely hard—but we show up nonetheless. And that’s what these students have done. It is through their perseverance and devotion to their practice that we have this resilient, inquisitive, and oftentimes humorous exhibition. It was a real and true joy to jury this artwork. For a few brief hours, it was as if we were lost in a moment of time, snapped back into reality upon realizing that all this talented work was made during a global pandemic. We approached each piece with curiosity about and respect for these artists who created such vibrant work during a notably difficult time. But what most stood out to us was the vulnerability expressed throughout so much of this work. They share this vulnerability not only through their experimentation with materials like Alyssa Graham’s Value + Repurpose and Zion Kania’s But Am I?, or through their choice of subject matter like Hannah Horak’s Dear “Friend” and Christiana Roque’s Lumpia series, but by simply putting themselves and their work out into the world to be seen. This in and of itself demonstrates the tremendous courage and strength that defines great artists. We would like to applaud the students in this exhibition for your creativity and skill, but most of all for the patience it takes to show up to your practice with attention and care.

Liz Bayan artist, writer, educator

Dustin London Associate Professor in the School of Art and Design at Eastern Michigan University