Gallery Talks Deepen Understanding of Art, Creative Process

Painter Nelson Da Costa—whose exhibit, Icons, is in the De Menil Gallery until November 12—spoke recently with students about his formative experiences, inspiration, and technique.

 

The Icons series is both reflective and interpretive. During his October 20 gallery talk, Da Costa shared his story of growing up in Angola during a time of civil war, the pain of losing family, being sent to Cuba on a government-sponsored education program, and ultimately coming to the United States.

 

After his talk, Da Costa invited questions. When asked how growing up in the midst of a civil war affects his art and style, he explained that he doesn’t want his past to define his future. Instead, he said, he uses his painful losses as inspiration to create—perhaps the most important way he can honor the loss of his family and his home. Monika Andersson, teacher and de Menil Gallery curator, echoed his sentiment: “Art carries many messages, which can inform and inspire,” she said.

 

On the other side of campus, the Brodigan Gallery features a collaborative exhibit—The Female Form: Go Figure, by artists Ruth Rosner, Claudia Olds Goldie, and Melanie Zibit. They offered an artists’ talk and reception on September 27. The three women focused on the topic of women in society and their work in different mediums, including, clay, wire, found items, and stone. While the de Menil reception was used more formally as a teaching tool for classes, the Brodigan Gallery opening was more casual.

Overall, the campus gallery experience always aims to enlighten students. “I consider our galleries to be teaching galleries,” says art teacher Beth van Gelder, who curates the Brodigan Gallery shows. “I love seeing faculty from other departments using the galleries as a visual supplement to their disciplines.” 

Both galleries provide students with exposure to art and artists, as well as a regular opportunity to discuss art with experienced creators, as exhibits change during fall, winter, and spring terms. A primary goal of the campus galleries, said Ms. van Gelder,is “to help students gain a deeper understanding of the creative process.”

 

Da Costa helped deepen that understanding. “Art,” he said, “is like a puzzle you need to put together to create something . . . within this, the important part is: be alive.”—Ben Calmas ’18