Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University will host David Hickernell’s senior art exhibit, “OVER IT,” in Mabee Fine Arts Center’s Hammons Gallery from April 28 to May 10. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

The exhibit serves as a culmination of Hickernell’s art studies during his time at Ouachita. A reception will be held April 29 at 5 p.m. in Hammons Gallery to give Hickernell the opportunity to interact with the public about his art and the creative process behind it.

“It’s kind of a play on words,” explained Hickernell, a studio art and mass communications double major from Crystal Lake, Ill., on how he chose the name for his exhibit. “It has a little bit to do with the way my paintings come together. There are a lot of layers of paint covering each other, so one layer with another over it.”

Unique from other senior exhibits, Hickernell chose to display a singular body of work composed of large oil paintings. While every painting is similar, carefully examination reveals subtle distinctions among the various pieces.

“David’s work is, above all, about looking. The process and the history of David and his art are important, but with this work what is emphasized is the relationship between viewer and artwork,” said Donnie Copeland, assistant professor of Art and Design and chair of OBU’s Department of Art and Design. “I think he asks that viewers take the time to investigate the paintings and find the little instances of subject matter – color and texture.”

“You won’t just be able to walk into the gallery and understand everything or take it in all at once,” Hickernell said of the complex nature of this body of work. “It’ll take some time spent in the gallery looking at all the work.”

Regular gallery hours for the exhibit are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, contact the School of Fine Arts at (870) 245-5129.

By Chelsea Whelpley