The Senior Thesis Exhibit in the Kinetic Gallery is currently showing the work of Gen Sato, Greg Kraus, and Trisha Roblee. All three artists have formed a personal identity for themselves as artists throughout their years at Geneseo that is portrayed in the unique theme or message of their work.
Sato chose to showcase only one piece in his senior exhibit, "Things We Take With Us," and there isn't need for much more, as his work speaks volumes. Sato created a life-like sculpture of his father triumphantly munching on a banana atop a pile of the fruit. The sculpture is about three feet high and stands in the middle of the gallery, welcoming anyone who passes by. The artist's statement tells the story of his father, who grew up in Japan constantly craving his favorite fruit and a delicacy of the region, the banana. His love of the fruit is one thing Sato's father took with him into his adulthood in America. Sato did an incredible job capturing the joy and age in the lines around his father's eyes. His intricate piece alone makes visiting the show worthwhile.
Kraus' growth as an artist is shown in his "Evolution of Works." His work is signified by neon blues, pinks, and greens, abstractly conveying an image splattered across a canvas. He prefers graffiti and pop art to more formal styles and is inspired by Jackson Pollock and Jean-Michel Basquiat. His paintings are an attempt at social commentary. In "Reality TV," he explains that he was inspired by the "widespread influence of reality television and media saturation on our conceptions of self." Although is work is informal, it is skillfully created and sophisticated.
Roblee's "A Search For Self" is an incredibly cohesive and impressive exhibit. She included four pieces that "look at human sexuality, vices, and individuality," including a charcoal self-portrait and stoneware bust of the artist herself. The stand-out piece is "Pods." From stoneware and steel, Roblee created three sculptures of milkweed-like pods elevated to eye-level on rods. From the mud-colored pods peek human faces; the face in the center pod is recognizably that of the artist. Roblee created pieces that are not only beautiful, but deeply personal and thought-evoking.
In their four years at Geneseo, these seniors have clearly allowed their talents to develop. They are evidently extremely talented artists who will leave our campus with creative and exciting portfolios. The Senior Thesis Exhibit is open until May 9 and is free and open to the public.