Works by BYU-Idaho art students on display at Spori Art Gallery

Works by Brigham Young University-Idaho students graduating this semester with bachelor of fine arts (BFA) degrees are on display this month at the BFA Student Art Show.  Artwork by students Emily Skinner, Jessica Holloway, Shalese Murray, Karen Linn Bell and James Bateman will be displayed in the Spori Art Gallery until Tuesday, December 19.

Each featured student submitted a portfolio during their junior year in order to be accepted to the bachelor of fine arts course at BYU-Idaho.  The course is designed to assist students preparing works for their senior BFA exhibition.  Three areas of emphasis are displayed in the show: photography, graphic design, and illustration.  

Skinner's photographic display is based on views of nature from different heights, from elevations of 5,000 feet to 10,000 feet.  "As a photographer living among some of the world's greatest elevated beauty, it felt appropriate to document some of the awe-inspiring views I have been exposed to in my life...at levels that a lot of eyes have never been," Skinner said.

Bell took an unconventional approach in creating her display by using an x-ray machine.  "Unlike a camera, the x-ray sees through the surface of an object into the complex world contained therein. The x-ray machine used for this project is only capable of producing images of forms with densities such as bone. Sea life contains both interesting form as well as the density radiography requires," Bell said.

Bateman chose to create a series of illustrations meant to be used as book covers.  "It is up to the individual to discover how Robin Hood found his way to Fudual, Japan," Bateman said. "How on earth did a stegosaurus end up in the library, and what are those kids going to do about it? As the writer of unspoken stories, I leave these and all other questions for the viewer to uncover."

The areas of study for this course and for this exhibition have been independently pursued by BFA students and are focused on each student's chosen emphasis. These students have produced a significant body of work that is the completion of their portfolio and their BFA studies.

Viewing hours for the Spori Art Gallery are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Visitors interested in buying the artwork displayed can speak with the gallery attendant.