Photo Karen Graham.
Crestwood student Olivia Brodhurst’s sculpture called, “The Hands of Destruction” at last month’s art exhibit put on by Grade 12 students as part of their Visual Arts class.
Last month, six students at Crestwood Secondary School hosted an art show in their school foyer featuring installations they developed as part of the final assignment in their Grade 12 Visual Art course. Student exhibits took advantage of a wide range of media to portray their message, from videos, cardboard rooms to enter, clay sculptures, old photos and personal items of clothing.
Each installation incorporated several works with a common theme, and all communicated a message that was deeply personal. Some themes were broad, including Olivia Brodhurst’s pieces depicting the damage to the environment caused by man. Among the works was a clay sculpture entitled “The Hands of Destruction”, portraying human hands holding a cracked and damaged earth. This reflects what she perceives as the selfish perspective that man controls the earth, whereas the reverse is true: the earth supports mankind. The malleability of clay reinforces the notion that man is manipulating the natural landscape for his own purposes, with little regard for the implications on the environment. The earth is portrayed as fragile, crumbling under the pressures resulting from the actions of man.
Emma Mills used a video and running shoes in her installation depicting the implications of the auto-immune disorder called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. She suffers from the disorder, which is the most common cause of underactive thyroid activity and often goes undiagnosed. In addition to introducing the syndrome, her video identified well-known celebrities who share the artist’s plight and continue to pursue successful careers.
Emma’s installation also included running shoes, which the artist explained represents moving forward despite the physical challenges as she finds the strength to move forward. Shoe laces are replaced by purple ribbons as coloured ribbons are commonly used to create awareness and support for medical and other issues. Many other symbolic images were prevalent, including butterflies, which are the same shape as the thyroid gland at the centre of this syndrome. To the artist they also represent hope, life and endurance, which are universal needs. Chinese symbols describe some of the side effects the artist experiences from her syndrome, and the foreign language reinforces her lack of understanding of the disease prior to her diagnosis. Puzzle pieces reflect her growing understanding of the condition as she learns to manage it.
Another installation consisted of a sculpture the body of a soldier made of clear packing tape dressed in a military uniform, which was called The Empty Uniform. The artist, Shawn Filipowtz, has followed his family’s example of commitment to the military by becoming a member of the Hastings and Prince Edward regiment- the local regiment affectionately known as the Hasty P’s. The uniform in his installation is empty for a variety of reasons. First, the void represents the ghosts of members of the military, law enforcement and other public service who have made the ultimate sacrifice. It also reflects what the artist sees as a steady decline in the interest and concern by the public in the Canadian Armed Forces, rendering them invisible. He believes the allure of public service, particularly in the military, has declined over the last century and wonders who will fill the shoes of current members as they complete their years of service. The soldier stands on a painted wooden beam surrounded by suspended photos depicting armed forces in some of the conflicts of the 20th century. The beam on which it is mounted represents the strength required to serve in this capacity.
The stimulating and thought-provoking exhibit was a testament to the skills of the artists, nurtured by their teacher Mary Scheller, and their courage to address issues of substance that are both personal and universal. Congratulations to all involved. KG
