‘In Flux’ shows snapshot of art students in transition

Like with most things senior year, Jasper Sortun’s capstone project came to her all at once, in a moment of inspiration, after her original plan fell through.

Sortun, along with 24 other seniors will be spending many hours in the coming weeks prepping for the 2016 Senior Exhibition, In Flux. Everyone is invited to see the fruits of their labor at an opening reception on Wednesday, April 20 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in PLU’s University Gallery.

Sortun is on track to submit an edition of hand-printed, wood-bound books dedicated to her grandfather and memories of his lake house. The books will be displayed on a pedestal, inspired by planks of the dock.

“People should expect to see the results of countless hours of grueling study – of frustration and elation – of blood, sweat and tears,” Sortun says. “Personally, and I think this will apply to others, my works displayed in the show are some of my best, and yet, there is so much still to learn that I feel I will never truly be done with them. As an artist, my work is an extension of myself, and it is constantly in flux.”

Sarah Henderson, another late-night-Ingram-inhabitor, is also in the throws of finishing her capstone artworks. Henderson received first place in the fall Student Juried Exhibition for her sculpture entitled Just Be. That piece, which consists of a goat strung between a balloon and an anvil (all made of ceramic), was the driving force for the direction of her work.

“That piece helped me finally understand and articulate the work I was making,” Henderson explained. “The common theme for my work is the concept of dynamic tension; each sculpture narrates a moment associated with growing up, and seeks to induce emotion and ponderous thought from the viewer.”

A flux is a medium used in ceramics to lower the melting point of glaze materials; it is the key element that gives glazes their unique qualities and fluidity. Flux, is also synonymous with change. The exhibition’s theme of ‘in flux’ is a way to band many different artists together.

“The only commonality between us all is that we are ever growing, ever changing, especially in this time of our lives,” Henderson explains. “This show is not an ending, but a beginning—a continuum of thought and idea.”

At the year-end exhibition, students do more than display the work; they’re in charge of hanging the show, advertising for it and sorting out reception details.

Awards, determined by Art and Design faculty, are given to artists and announced at the opening reception on April 20.

The exhibit will be open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (or by appointment) through May 18, 2016, in the University Gallery in Ingram Hall at Pacific Lutheran University. The exhibit is free and open to the public.