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http://www.newspapers-online.com/auroran/eyes-are-the-window-into-the-soul-at-ahs-williams-art-exhibition/
Export date: Fri Mar 29 4:54:51 2024 / +0000 GMT

Eyes are the window into the soul at AHS, Williams art exhibition




By Brock Weir

Aurora's students aren't shy about expressing their views of the world and depicting all facets of the human experience through their art. So what if the subject matter can turn a little dark at times? In the end, it is all about the experience.

This is the view of student-curators who spent the early part of this week putting the finishing touches on a joint art exhibition at the Aurora Cultural Centre hosted by Grade 12 art students of Aurora High School and Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary School.

“Our school is really big on society and a lot of us look into the social norms and criticize them,” says Avery Worrall, who helped curate AHS' portion of the show with fellow students Madeline Feder and Maddy Sanzo. “There are a bunch of pieces in here that were based off social events and social comments.”

Adds Maddy: “We're very interest in society, mind and psychology.”

Avery, Madeline and Maddy took on the curatorship of their school's show with an eye to including as much of their fellow students' work as possible. All their styles are so different, says Madeline, which made the task a bit more difficult.

“I was really excited about this show because I honestly believe that everyone is actually very talented,” says Maddy. “Once you get to the art course in Grade 12, the only people left are the ones who actually care about art because you don't need arts credits anymore. You're not taking art because it is easy, you're taking art because you like it.

“Everyone has a specific style and everyone is very talented. It was important we chose everyone's pieces that properly represented them and will show the community they're really good at art.”

The art selected will also show the community what is on the minds of students as they prepare for their lives post-high school. This interest in “society, mind, and psychology” is evident looking through the paintings, sketches and sculptures that fill the exhibition space.

One of Avrey's pieces, for instance, is called “Eyes”, depicting a kaleidoscope of vivid green eyes emanating from a figure inspired by the facial features of the singer F.K.A. twigs.

“The eyes represent the soul and identity of a person, so I focused on this [to show] the pressure of society on other people and how it creates many different identities in a person. It is a creepy feeling because it almost is a creepy way of thinking. You're supposed to be a little bit creeped out.”

A similar theme is followed by Maddy, who takes on the fashion industry in her piece called “Sixes and Sevens.” That, she says, is a way to express confusion, being distraught, and not really sure what is going on in the world around them.

“She is supposed to be a fashion model modelling a shirt, but she is confused, distraught and not paying attention – and that is what you're supposed to feel,” she says, noting she drew inspiration from fashion artist Danny Roberts. “The girls he draws are almost caricatures of fashion models, almost making fun of the fashion industry because they are always disgustingly skinny and distraught looking. She doesn't really have any soul in her eyes, just staring into nothingness. This is the image we have developed of beauty and it has just become more and more ridiculous to the point where nobody even looks like this anymore.”

Excerpt: Aurora’s students aren’t shy about expressing their views of the world and depicting all facets of the human experience through their art. So what if the subject matter can turn a little dark at times? In the end, it is all about the experience.
Post date: 2015-01-21 17:48:29
Post date GMT: 2015-01-21 22:48:29

Post modified date: 2015-02-04 16:30:44
Post modified date GMT: 2015-02-04 21:30:44

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