The Mulvane Art Museum hosted a reception Feb. 7, for its first faculty show in six years, featuring three new exhibitions on the WUmester theme of “Being Human.”

Post-COVID and flood-related gallery closures stopped faculty showings. After years of disruptions, this exhibition not only showcases the artistic excellence of Washburn faculty but also revitalizes the tradition of faculty-led exhibitions, inspiring both students and the broader community.

Connie Gibbons, director of Mulvane Art Museum, expresses excitement about seeing the artwork in the gallery and the interactions between visitors and artists. 

“We wanted to schedule this and come back with a show that celebrates the work that faculty were doing here on campus,” Gibbons said. “And we decided to tie it back in with WUmester themes of being human.” 

Gibbons mentions that the upcoming art exhibition will showcase diverse pieces from six artists in the art department, each bringing their unique perspective and media to the table. The featured artists of the Art Faculty being Deena Amont, Michael Hager, Marguerite Perret, Azyz Sharafy, Kwok-Pong (Bobby) Tso and Ye Wang.   

The opening of three new art exhibitions explores themes of humanity, including family, death and environmental impact. Each artwork on display examines what it means to be human against a current backdrop of rapid environmental change, rising artificial intelligence, and intense cultural debates about identity. 

Gibbons mentioned another art exhibition being held on the second floor of the Mulvane Art Museum where the art piece named the “Family Pictures” of Priya Suresh Kambali, an Indian photographer, are being exhibited. The art exhibition will be on display until May 17, 2025, welcoming all members of the public who are interested in viewing her art.

Kambali is exploring her family history and identity through old photographs. After leaving India at 18, following her parents’ passing, she carried a suitcase filled with these images. Over the years, she has creatively reinterpreted them to connect her parents’ legacy with her children’s future in captivating ways, as stated by Gibbons.

Gibbons also gave a slight insight about Kambali visiting Washburn around April where she will have a gallery talk, an artist talk and host some workshops. Gibbons encourages the community to engage with the artwork and participate in discussions, making it a dynamic experience for all.

Ye Wang, ceramics/paintings professor of the art department, gave a description of two of the art pieces that are being exhibited in the art gallery. He mentions that the paintings are part of a major series he has been working on since 2012, stating it is 13 years in the making. 

The art pieces made by Wang that are being showcased in the gallery are oil paintings and the art pieces portray a reflection being added as we view a painting from outside the glass panel. By introducing fragmented reflections into their work, Wang challenges traditional perceptions of classical painting, encouraging viewers to question the distortions and breaks within the imagery. 

“I just want to present it in a new way of saying classical paintings,” Wang said. “I can just do pure classical painting, but this way, with reflection, then that brings more thought to classical painting. People wonder why it’s like that and why these reflections and fragments break all the images. So it makes something that looks surreal, not very weird.”

The two art pieces are just a glimpse of the whole collection titled “The Return to Classicism,” where each piece is based on a masterpiece from the classical time in Europe. 

He mentioned that one of the art pieces being showcased was a reference from a Dutch Artist Johannes Vermeer who made a painting called “The Milkmaid.” Wang meticulously recreated the same pose, attire, and composition, even hiring a tailor to replicate the costume and a model to pose as in the original painting.

Michael Hager, associate professor of art, described his artwork as a collaborative project with his best friend inspired by their mothers’ dementia-related illnesses. The piece, a series of seven prints displayed in a book-like format, took over two years to complete. 

“This is the result of a collaboration between me and my best friend who’s here somewhere,” Hager said. “Both of our mothers died of dementia-related illnesses, and he wrote a poem about that and then I made these prints. I wanted to display them book-like, like a book. So that’s why they’re folded forward a little bit and there’s seven parts and it goes from one to seven.”

Hager expressed satisfaction with the project and praised the collaboration between the Mulvane Art Museum and the art department. He emphasized that faculty at Washburn are not only teachers but also active in their respective fields. 

Josie Ridele, a sophomore graphic design major,  shared her view on the event. She expressed that she enjoyed the experience and felt delighted to see the artwork created by her professors.

“I absolutely love seeing my professors’ artwork,” Ridele said. “I’m an art student, and so I’m getting to see my professors’ artwork and seeing what they can do and it’s just so inspiring.”

The event attracted a diverse audience, including students, faculty, and community members, each bringing their own perspectives and appreciation for the showcased art. Many students expressed admiration for their professors’ talents, while faculty members valued the opportunity to display their creative work outside the classroom. Community attendees engaged in conversations with artists, deepening their understanding of the artistic process and the themes explored in the exhibitions.

The art exhibition of the art pieces done by the art department faculty will be open till March 22 whereas the art gallery of Kambali will be open till May 17, inviting all interested individuals to explore a variety of artworks created by faculty members. This is an opportunity to appreciate the creativity and talent within the community. Don’t miss the chance to experience this unique showcase before it closes! 

The work in this exhibition demonstrates the rich contributions that Washburn art department faculty are making. The artworks are created in different mediums exploring wide-ranging ideas. In innovative sculptures, paintings and mixed-media works, Washburn faculty artists reflect on essential human qualities and experiences. Their art presents a powerful statement about the vitality of human creativity. Visit the Mulvane Art Museum to explore these incredible works yourself!

Edited by Jayme Thompson and Jeremy Ford