Members of the Shippensburg community witnessed the unveiling of the Nancy Hoffman Gallery’s exhibit of “Earth, Air, Fire, Water” last Wednesday in Shippensburg University’s Kauffman Gallery.
The exhibit included art presented in a variety of different mediums to best portray a diverse interpretation of The Four Elements.
Hoffman first became associated with the university when she judged a national exhibition event almost two decades ago.
About a year and a half ago, Michael Campbell, director of the Kauffman Gallery, proposed a gallery inclusive of Hoffman’s artists.
“We do not have the regular opportunity to bring this kind of work to campus,” Campbell said. “This is very unique.”
Michele Pred's "Travelers," explores the implications airport security has for the individual. All the objects she used were confiscated by San Francisco's International Airport security.
The exhibit included 28 pieces in total. Although most are paintings, a few sculptures and even a digital video that presents a dual perspective on the theme of life found their way into the gallery.
Other exhibits include vivid paintings made using airbrushes, vibrant watercolors and digital edits.
Sculptures such as the octopus “Nocturne,” by Mark Calderon, are made from brass. Finally, Michele Pred’s “Travelers,” which dangles from the ceiling, is composed of an umbrella and many scissors that were confiscated at San Francisco’s International Airport.
Sique Spence, director of the Nancy Hoffman Gallery, said everyone involved wanted to display a broad stroke of artists and work that the gallery was host to, while tying it into a central theme. This paring process defined the exhibit’s tone, and the theme became “the four elements,” according to Spence.
Spence presented the exhibit to the SU community as quality art that is accessible to everyone.
“It doesn’t have to be hanging in the halls of a New York gallery to be what it is,” Spence said.
Mark Calderon's "Nocturne" is one piece in a larger set called "Dominion." The piece is a study in balance, according to the exhibit's accompanying catalogue, and strives to draw attention to the relationship between the creatures and our use of the environment.
SU President Laurie Carter attended the opening, and took a picture in front of the pieces with some of the students.
“Earth, Air, Fire, Water” will remain open through Feb. 28 in the Kauffman Gallery. The gallery is open Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Wednesday evenings 6:30-8:30 p.m., and Fridays 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
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