Glasgow School of Art Faculty Exhibition @ Hunter College
Jeffrey Mongrain
This group faculty
exhibition from one of the premier British art schools demonstrates the distinct
relationship of quality teaching to personal practice. The Exhibit consistently
shows works that are well crafted, intelligent and rooted in the academy.
Looking, for instance,
at Barry Atherton’s sensitive architectural studies one can almost hear
his pedagogical discourse regarding formalistic yet emotive observation and subsequent
drawing. Ken Mitchell uses the iconic narrative of modernist architecture to
subtly abstract the human presence. The most concept-bound investigations can
be attributed to Christina McBride. Her photographs of experimental process is
a minimalist recording of the fragmented image.
Each artist/educator
in this consistency confident exhibition is predisposed to a specific sensibility
that, constructed as a whole, represents a well balanced group of foundation
(first year fine art) teachers. It is not surprising that the current young British
art elite; ie Douglas Gordon, Jenny Saville, and Christine Borland, to name but
a few; began their careers with these eight individuals.
There is immense
skill, commitment, generosity and historic tradition in the unique ability to
be both a practitioner and a mentor to fledgling artists.
The Glasgow School of Art: www. www.gsa.ac.uk
