Student emerging artists display work in McMaster Museum of Art exhibit

Taking Space, an exhibition at the McMaster Museum of Art, highlights and showcases the work of the graduating class of McMaster’s School of the Arts’ Bachelor of Fine Arts program.

“Taking space means daring to be bold, seen, and heard. The 2022 SUMMA exhibition Taking Space does exactly that,” says curator Sahra Soudi.

The work of the 18 emerging artists is united around this central theme and pieces of each artist’s personal stories is woven into the art.

“Through the exhibition, these young visionary artists explore the connections between their craft and their principles, finding innovative ways to share their emerging art practices,” says Soudi.

On the last day of March, the emerging artists debuted their artwork, which uses all sorts of mediums, from painting, digital media, drawing, photography, textiles, and installation in the McMaster Museum of Art to their families and friends. 

Here is a look at some of the pieces that make up Taking Space.

Hanan Abbas
Title of Artwork: 3arabi? (Arabic?)

Hanan Abbas explores creative forms of communication online, while including the text 3arabi? for the chosen displayed piece, which is simply translated to “Arabic?”

This method of communication has been developed by Middle Eastern youth to deal with the limited accessibility of tools and non-support for Arabic script. The work therefore self-referentially asks if this can be considered Arabic.

This piece is a multimedia installation using monitors, as well as vinyl lettering on acrylic sheet displayed on one of the walls at the museum.

PauTheRebel
Title of Artwork: Neon Android and Demon (painting on wall)
Title of Artwork: Android’s Lullably.mp4 (installation)

PauTheRebel presents two pieces of work, Neon Android and Demon and Android’s Lullably.mp4. 

Android’s Lullably.mp4, an installation that takes place on the floor of the exhibition, was made in collaboration with PauTheRebel’s good friend, pak. It features a gutted CRT screen and audio that runs for 3:50 mins. 

Neon Android and Demon is made of acrylic, vinyl cut-outs, tulle and paint marker on panel.

 PauTheRebel’s current collection explores lived experiences and re-experiencing them through a nostalgic lens influenced by the internet.

Gabby Pacheco
Title of Artwork: Pathos in Motion

Gabby Pacheco paints inspiration from photography through the lens of a microscope.

The painting Pathos in Motion is inspired by the cross-section of a cell structure inside a leaf from Pacheco, who minors in biology. 

Although Pacheco says Pathos in Motion is much different from their usual work, the colourful and interpretive piece was a fit for this exhibition. 

Olivia Missons
Title of Artwork: The poem and Her Colours

Olivia Missons, working with a deconstructed poetry book, uses colour psychology to convey and relate emotion in response to each poem in her piece The poem and Her Colours. 

The poem and Her Colours uses recycled book pages with additions of hand colouring and embroidery, and hangs from the ceiling of the museum.

Colour theory and line of movement form the base of Missons’ work. 

Taking Space is on at the McMaster Museum of Art until April 29, 2022.

To view the exhibition, visit the museum during open hours. Appointments are not required.