An exhibition in the School of Art’s Green Hall gallery features visual interpretations of a number of social and psychological issues.
The first iteration of “Double Dip” — a two-part thesis exhibition for graduating Master of Fine Arts students in the painting and printmaking program — brings together works that consider issues including intimacy, sexuality, alienation and discrimination. Anoka Faruqee ’94, the painting and printmaking program’s director of graduate studies, said that the show will offer a new perspective on these issues, particularly because of its use of visual media, rather than language, in exploration. Faruqee added that the students whose work is exhibited in “Double Dip” were involved in all of the show’s major decisions, including content, installation and curatorial strategy, noting that the experience is valuable in large part because it prepares them for experiences they are likely to have later in their artistic careers.
“The process models what will likely happen after graduation if students choose to continue to exhibit in a gallery or museum context,” Faruqee said.
The show gives students an opportunity to exhibit their work in a gallery space and have it critiqued by the broader public. This offers a change from the numerous private studio visits and semi-private “group critiques” common at the School of Art, during which students receive feedback from professors and classmates on works in progress as well as finished pieces. Equally valuable, Faruqee said, was the chance for students to focus on analyzing ideas “through the act of making.”
Faruqee said “Double Dip” represents a diverse body of work, adding that fully seeing and experiencing the show requires both time and openness on the part of viewers.
Gabriela Bucay ’17, an art major, said she was impressed with the exhibition’s opening reception, noting that she was particularly interested in works by artists Christina Quarles ’16 and Tomashi Jackson ’16.
“Their work was very thorough and showed a deep investigation,” she said. “It was very ambitious in scale and thus very enjoyable.”
“The big benefit [of this exhibition] is that you get to see the culmination of the MFA students’ work,” said Steven Roets ’17, another art student. “These projects are really representative of their time at Yale, and it’s amazing to see what they can produce in two years of intensive art study.”
The second installment of “Double Dip” will open with a reception on Feb. 20 and will feature works by 11 additional artists.