The Wylie and May Louise Jones art gallery at Bakersfield College is displaying their biennial staff and faculty exhibition until Nov. 30 and is open until 2 – 5 p.m. The wide assortment of artistic displays varies from oil paintings, digital media, sculptures, ceramic statues, and more.
All of the pieces were done by either BC staff or faculty, which emulate the diverse artistic skillset within the college bounds. The gallery is showcasing works by Andrew Borrego, Graciela Brehmer, Darrin Ekern, Gina Herrera, Tina Howland, Jeff Huston, Diego Monterrubio, Nyoka Reed, Asma Salehi, Adel Shafik, Marshall Sharpe, Kristopher Stallworth, Lauren Vazques, and Arlene Velis.
Jeff Huston, art gallery director of seven years, explained that the gallery gives students a “look behind the curtain” into the staffs’ specific area of expertise. Furthermore, he points out the “professional separation between the professor and student” which the art installation helps to eliminate, as it “humanizes the faculty and helps facilitate a dialog between two people who have shared interests.”
Adjunct faculty member, Diego Monterrubio’s vibrant and dreamy lensed “Las Fusión de Tres Culturas” #1 and #4, are on display. With his displayed works being rooted in his experience within the San Joaquin Valley.
Marshall Sharpe, associate professor, whose work focuses on “ancestry, identity, and transience” has three canvases, “Game Night” “Lament” and “Headstones” being featured in the gallery.
Art Department Chair, David Ekern, displayed different ceramic statues, which stem from an assignment that he assigns to his students. The assignment aims to “replicate an object and then show a transformation through a series of two or more pieces”. His series of ceramics are inspired by a figure that his dad had on his nightstand, which progressively undergoes a “Jekyll and Hyde transformation” through each ceramic. According to his artist statement, his display represents the “elements of nostalgia, fear, vice, insecurity, and anxiety”.
The BC art faculty exhibition will be up until Nov. 30 in the Wylie and May Louise Jones art gallery and is located in the Grace Van Dyke Bird Library.
