A collection of Cambodian clothing dangles from the ceiling of Hanes Art Center. A painting of a severed alligator head hangs nearby.
And though it’s hard to find a common theme running through these and other pieces currently on display as a part of the annual spring showcase of first-year Master of Fine Arts students, the students say their work together has inspired their individual creative efforts.
The works in the John and June Allcott Gallery, displayed through Feb. 11, are a testament to the progress of the graduate students, some of it recently created and others improved throughout the semester.
“It gives a taste of what we are exploring in our work,” said Seoun Som, a master’s student.
As a part of the two-year program, each of the eight students are required to submit art pieces to a faculty adviser several times throughout the first semester for critique.
Neill Prewitt, an artist in the program, said that this process helps him to constantly hone and develop his creative process.
“It’s about getting to know someone’s work — where they’re going, what they want to do — and helping guide them and motivate them,” Prewitt said.
The first-year master’s students meet to brainstorm ideas and comment on each other’s work once a week. Som said that his individual work has benefitted from these discussions.
“I was inspired by the idea of how memory is passed on from one person to another,” Som said.