Super Studio
The annual senior art exhibition, SUPER STUDIO: The Power of Process, opened in Lamont Gallery on Friday. The exhibit explores the risk-taking and individuality inherent in creative discovery, as student work challenges preconceived notions of what art should be. As well as featuring the work of seniors who took art courses at Exeter this year, work submitted to the Scholastic Art Award by students of all grade levels was included. The show exhibits visual arts ranging from paintings and ceramics to fashion and industrial design, to printmaking, photography and sculpture.
A mix of students, alumni and Exeter residents attended the opening on Friday to see the showcased work. The opening featured a “maker space section,” where visitors could come and make postcards to send to friends over the summer. It also included the showing of “Revisiting a ‘Top Notch’ Story,” a showcase of two reproductions: the library’s fourth floor Portrait of Corliss Lamont originally made in 1954 and the Lamont Gallery’s 1946 portrait, Irene Estrella. Both were created by Mexican muralist, Diego Rivera, and given to the school by Corliss Lamont ’20. “It’s incredibly rare for a high school to own such culturally significant and relevant works of art,” said Lamont Gallery intern Olivia Knauss.
"I think the senior exhibition is fantastic. It’s well-curated and beautifully arranged."
Upon walking into the gallery, those in attendance may see a ball gown constructed entirely of napkins or a number of hanging ceramic bowls held together by yarn. The exhibit showcases a large range of art, including screen prints of the cover of “To Kill A Mockingbird,” paintings that reflect on the female form, dresses covered with chipped pieces of blue china and sketches of eyes and ears. Upon closer inspection, candy is even nestled within some of the work.
According to O’Neal, the versatile array of art mediums has led to an engaging and unique show. “The great variety of materials, from slip-cast clay to napkins that are employed in a so very stylish and surprising way makes for a delightful and inspired viewing experience,” she said, marveling at “the breadth, depth and scope of the work.”
Knauss agreed. “Visitors were taken by the talent and diverse subject matter that the seniors touched upon this year, as shown in their work,” she said.
Some seniors made the art featured in the show during classes they took over the course of this year, whereas others participated in the Art 444 course to focus on cultivating a specific artistic capacity. Other students displayed work that won a Scholastic Art Award.
Senior Efe Airewele, who printed the “To Kill A Mockingbird” cover, expressed awe at the sophistication of the work displayed in the show. “I think the senior exhibition is spectacular,” she said. “There is a lot of artistic raw talent among the senior class and the school in general.”
Senior Mei-An Nolan, who spent the term creating ceramic bowls in her Art 444 project, agreed with Airewele, applauding the arrangement of the show as well as its contents. “I think the senior exhibition is fantastic,” she said. “It’s well-curated and beautifully arranged.”
She said that knowing the talented people responsible for the art brought an extra level of profoundness to the show for her. “The work is all really gorgeous, and I love the experience of seeing a piece that I find really beautiful and being surprised when I see who made it,” she said. “I really didn’t know that so many members of the senior class are such talented artists.”
O’Neal commended the students for their work, admiring the unique ways in which their art manifested. “Student artists at PEA demonstrate innovative, experimental thinking in their process and in their product,” she said. “And this joy of discovery is evident in the work.”