By Jesse Garcia
Staff Writer
The California State University, Dominguez Hills graduating studio art and design exhibit is like an alternate universe turned into paintings tuned into our current reality. It is almost too bizarre to be true but delivers a message that hits closer to home than words can.
Entering the exhibit, I was skeptical. I had nothing against seeing student artwork, but I was asking myself one question: Was I really going to see anything that I hadn’t seen, in some fashion, before?
The first set of paintings that crossed my path were Stephen D. West’s acrylic on canvas pieces. The artist’s depiction of geese in such a naturalistic scene took me by surprise. It was oddly refreshing. To say West pays attention to detail is an understatement, a reason why he might have been honored by the city of Torrance, receiving the Art Excellence Award in painting in 2009.
As I moved along and took in the artistry of Jesse Fregozo’s “Matador at the 101 Fwy,” Catrina Mendoza’s “illusion of sense I, II, and III,” and Allison Garcia’s “nature” I couldn’t hold back my skepticism any longer.
Screw it, the CSUDH graduating studio art and design exhibit is badass.
Well, I should say it was badass. It, unfortunately, closed April 24. But, another exhibit, “Vantage Point: 2018 Senior Design Showcase,” will take place Thursday, May 3 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the CSUDH University Art Gallery. And if the quality of the pieces is anything close to what was on display in the studio art exhibition, you won’t want to miss it.
I was most taken by Frezozo’s work, which, through incorporating the metaphor of bullfighting, screamed marginalized Angelino. The locations he chose symbolized the neighborhood he grew up in, a reality that many CSUDH students can readily identify with.
A special mention must also be given to Omar Solorio for his highly visual montage of Simpson characters smoking crack, which challenges the viewer’s perception of iconic American pop culture characters. Taking a step back and observing the visualizations provoked a mix of emotions. It was intriguing, entertaining, and uncomfortable.
The exhibit did showcase your typical flower paintings, nature, and political messages that I might normally roll my eyes passing, but their presence merely made the whole experience even more enjoyable.
The graduating studio and art design exhibit presented work that was witty, diverse and real. It’s clear there is a great amount of artistic talent on this campus and, next time around, I’d suggest not missing the chance to appreciate it.
“Vantage Point: 2018 Senior Design Showcase,” University Art Gallery, Thursday, May 3, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. https://news.csudh.edu/senior-art-exhibition/
