The visual arts department hosted its “All Hallow’s Art Gallery Show” Thursday night. There were the usual professional-level photos, drawings, paintings, sculptures and mixed media projects, some of which were created by FUHS seniors. And that’s great. It’s their last year, and they deserve the recognition.
However, what impressed the Tribe Tribune staff about this show and about September’s gallery show was the emphasis on showcasing pieces from freshmen and sophomores. Although we appreciate viewing the highest level of skill Fullerton has to offer, it’s also nice to celebrate new and developing artists.
Take, for example, freshman Aleste Alvarez who’s enrolled in a first year drawing and painting class. She told the Tribe Tribune that before last month, she’d only created drawings with pencil. But for her Halloween-themed art project, she decided to pick up a blue ball-point pen and create an ink drawing without any pencil sketch whatsoever. Now that’s brave.
The office-style ballpoint pen isn’t the typical graphic artist’s instrument of choice. It’s unforgiving. Because canvases were expensive, old-timey painters would frequently paint over their failures. An artist using a ballpoint pen, on the other hand, can’t just pen over her mistakes. Everything stays in view. The result of her first-ever ink drawing is an impressive retro-horror snowman. Aleste liked the result (and so do we), so she then drew her second-ever ink sketch using a red pen. Her depiction of a skull wearing a jester’s cap shows captured souls where the bells would normally be on the cap.
“Last year, I was more into drawing cartoons, but this year, I’m experimenting with shading and stuff. It’s fun.” And that’s what art should be. New artists should be free to experiment, and we’re glad the gallery wall has space for these pieces.
Photos of Aleste’s pieces are at the top of this story. But we must apologize: these images are not nearly as good as the originals. That’s why you need to get to Gallery 201 on Friday during class, at break or lunch to check out these and other great pieces. Teachers, take your whole class to Room 89 on Friday or Monday. Stop by Mrs. Kudron’s room (86) on your way to the Gallery if it’s locked. She’ll be happy to let you borrow the key.
We were also impressed with sophomore James Ha’s ink drawing. We’ve included a photo in this story, but, again, the original is much more intense. Instead of treating his art as something personal and sacred, he invited students and teachers to add small squiggles and images. One friend drew a small Among Us character. We appreciate James creating art about trauma and isolation balanced with the spirit of community involvement.
Speaking of community involvement, when senior Josh Block saw the life-like heart that juniors Audrey Austin and Audrina Gamboa created with foam latex in their MADE class, he said, “Wow, I really want to make a photo using that.” Josh then reached out to senior Nathan Smith and asked, “Hey, can I kill you for a photo I’m creating?” Sure.
Josh and Nathan mixed up some fake blood using chocolate syrup, water and food coloring then headed over to the Brea Dam Park for an intense photo shoot inspired by the cult murder motif in the 1995 movie Seven with Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman. Josh incorporated some graffiti that was already at the scene and added some chalk markings including the word “sinner.” “I want the viewer to really question what happened here,” Josh said. “They take a look and ask, ‘What’s going on?’”
Again, we invite all of you to take a walk through the gallery and ponder “What’s going on?” for all of the intense and thought-provoking images.
Block, who is also the gallery manager, wants to invite all students, not just those currently enrolled in art and photo classes, to submit pieces for the Dec. 5 “Light and Color Art Show.” Reach out to him or teachers Brayden Hall and Jason Hess before Thanksgiving break; they are interested in celebrating as many new and experienced artists as possible.
