Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University’s School of Fine Arts will host seniors Jennifer Bray, a graphic design major from Little Rock, Ark., and Courtney Gibson, a graphic design major from Dermott, Ark., in their senior art exhibits. Both exhibits will be on display April 7-12 in Moses-Provine Hall’s Rosemary Gossett Adams Gallery on Ouachita’s campus. Opening receptions will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 8, in the gallery.

Bray’s exhibit is titled “Living Entity” and primarily will show works featuring typography as art. The exhibit title was inspired by a quote from artist Paul Rand, who is best known for his logo designs for such well-known companies as IBM, ABC and Westinghouse.

“I read a quote by Paul Rand that said, ‘Copy, art and typography should be seen as a living entity; each element integrally related, in harmony with the whole, and essential to the execution of an idea,’” Bray said. “I loved this quote because I completely agree with what he’s stating.”

Bray’s pieces will seek to embrace the nature of Rand’s quote by focusing on typography. She will also include branding work including logo and identity pieces and packaging design. Bray said she began to show an interest in typography during her studies at Ouachita. She was introduced to the art through the classes History of Design and Typography.

“Both of these classes taught me that typography can be beautiful and functional,” Bray explained. “It is an art, but it is not often seen that way in our society. Whether it is in a magazine or a billboard on a highway, someone took the time to design those words.”

“Living Entity” will be on display in the second floor Rosemary Gossett Adams Art Gallery in Moses-Provine Hall.

Gibson’s exhibit, titled “The Art Life,” will feature printed canvases, posters and flyers. The exhibit will also feature an installation piece made from clothespins and chicken wire. Many of Gibson’s pieces will reflect her desire to travel and seek new adventures.

“‘Sail the Atlantic’ is a design that is my response for wanting to explore,” Gibson explained. “The design compensated the experience that I couldn’t attain on my own. Being able to express unreachable desires through design and art is a good way to manage problems.”

“The Art Life” will feature works completed by Gibson that showcase skills she learned both during her time as a student at Ouachita and while studying abroad in England at Liverpool Hope University.

“While in Liverpool, I improved as an artist though rigorous class assignments that challenged my creative boundary,” Gibson said. “I was pushed from two-dimensional designs to three-dimensional objects by creating body extensions, installations, ceramics, metalsmithing and sculptures.”

Gibson’s exhibit will be on display in the first floor Rosemary Gossett Adams Gallery in Moses-Provine Hall.

Both exhibits can be viewed during regular Adams Gallery hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, contact OBU’s School of Fine Arts at (870) 245-5129.

 

By Katie Smith

April 5, 2017