Gaston students art takes on an edge
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November 15, 2009 11:22 AM
Amanda MemrickForestview High senior Melissa Olaskowitz used personal experience to create artwork to make others aware of a dangerous type of self-injury.
“I had a friend back in middle school that used to cut herself,” Olaskowitz said.
Her canvas showed someone holding their arm and red and chartreuse colors represented the spilt blood.
A $10,000 grant from McColl Center for Visual Art in Charlotte allowed Advanced Placement art students to create works representing social injustices. Their work will be unveiled during the reception for the opening of Joyce J. Scott’s exhibit in January. Social injustice is one theme that frequents the artist’s work.
The grant provided the school with materials and instruction that aren’t typically available in high school art departments. They used solar etching, beading, stitching and more to create works of art that hinted at social issues without being too bold.
One piece of senior Leah Millsap’s work depicted anorexia with the images of measuring tape used to show the struggles of trying to lose one more inch, Millsap said.
“You don’t always need the big message,” Millsap said. “It doesn’t have to be bold.”
Art teacher Elaine Patterson said the students’ art is meant to pull a person in and hold their attention while still being visually appealing.
“They have learned to create concepts in a new way, a more subtle way,” Patterson said. They’ve learned how to abstract their ideas. They’re learned how to use old materials and new materials in a new way.”
You can reach Amanda Memrick at 704-869-1839.