By Kayla Murphy
Popular works from artists Emily Berger, Zhang Hong, Rick Lewis and Claire Seidi were shown on Tuesday Oct. 20 at 3 p.m. in the Maloney Art Gallery. The Central Connecticut State University Art Department hosted the Abstraction 2016: Surface and Color Art Show. Abstract art is non-objective art that uses shape, form, color and line to create a composition. Around 50 students and staff came to listen to each of the artists talk about their paintings. Berger, Lewis and Seidi were in attendance at this art show, but on Nov. 10, Zhang Hong will be traveling all the way from Shanghai to CCSU to talk to students about his pieces.
Senior art education student, Angela Cipriano, said that she found the art show very interesting. “Abstract art isn’t my thing,” she laughed, “but I really like the color choices on Claire’s pieces and I really admire her brush strokes.”
Claire Seidi, an abstract painter of 4o years, said that she gathers most of her inspiration from nature. Using lots of blues and greens and browns, Seidi says she tries to create gestured images that resemble whirlpools, whirlwinds and tornados.
“After spending time in Maine,” said Seidi, “I was inspired by the spaces in between trees, especially at night. I’ve created some really spooky paintings from these concepts.”
Sara McLaughlin, a junior art education student, thought the art show was very dynamic. “There was a lot more movement than I expected to see for an art show,” said McLaughlin. “I really enjoyed Emily’s print making pieces because her style reminds me of my own.”
“I really like horizontal lines and repetition,” said abstract painter Emily Berger. Inspired by elements of grain and wood, Berger tries to create a visual conversation between the painting and the audience.
“I always have an idea of what I want to paint, but I always plan color first,” said Berger. “It might change as I go along, but the relationship with color is very important to me. I stop working on a painting until it stops driving me crazy,” she laughed.
Rick Lewis, another abstract painter at the event, also undergoes the same challenges as Berger.
“I’m constantly working on and improving my artwork,” he said, “I will stop at a place that’s interesting enough for me to stop and look at it for awhile.”
Raised in Texas, Lewis’ abstract pieces were inspired by the landscapes. Observing the raw beauty from the environment his paintings try to evoke emotion.
Lewis said, “I find sadness in rotting trees and calmness in the repetitive patterns of cobblestones.”
From Oct. 20 to Nov. 17, guests are welcomed to come to the free gallery showing Monday through Friday, 1-4 p.m.