By SIONA SHISHAK
This last Friday, Beloit’s very own art gallery hosted a themed exhibition. Gallery ABBA is a student-run showroom open to the public. During the school year, ABBA showcases a variety of artists—with no limit on the medium!
This particular exhibition focused on the intersection and contrast of turmoil and tranquility; chaos and serenity. Their guiding quote was, “What is this life, if not a walk on the thorniest of paths / Just to watch / The flowers on the curbside?” The display featured photography, mixed media, drawings, and more! Not only do the mediums vary, but also the styles and inspirations.
As students and family members looked over the exhibit, several students sat down at the piano to play different tunes, while visitors snacked on the refreshments provided. The openness of Gallery ABBA reflects CELEB’s efforts to include many different kinds of students.
Gallery ABBA’s approach is hands-on and student-oriented, displayed by the number of artists and staff members engaging visitors. One artist I had the pleasure of speaking with was Sydney Moses, who is currently a junior at Beloit College. Moses’ artwork, featured on the event flier, was inspired by a work by the loss of someone dear to them. Based on the screenplay for an unfinished animation, she was able to create a new piece in reference to something especially intimate. This personal connection to their work was a common theme among the artists.
One common medium was photography, though even within this category, interpretations were varied. Sophomore Ray Broad photographed the Rome Pride Parade on their recent trip to Italy. They were inspired by “…how unified the parade was, even without speaking the language.”
As they explained in an interview, Italy’s current president “…has been promoting queerphobic legislation ever since she was elected, and this was the first pride parade with her in office.” Broad’s piece is a wonderful example of the conflict between turmoil and tranquility, displaying the community that arose from the president’s anti-LGBTQ+ efforts, described as “joyous defiance.”
Other wonderful collections included mixed media collages, natural photography, and more. Each brought a clever and thoughtful approach to the theme.
Look out for more events and exhibits throughout the year, as the gallery will be featuring Beloit artists with different themes. Some examples of past themes and events include “Outdoor Americana,” “Interactive Art Fair,” and collaborations with C-Haus like “Art Trivia Night.”
If you’re an artist on campus, keep an eye out for submission links. For more information, check out their Instagram page @galleryabba, where they will be posting calls for artists, employees, and other opportunities! Also available at the gallery are prints, jewelry, and other handmade crafts for sale. Gallery ABBA is a great place to stay connected to the Beloit community while supporting local artists on campus.
Congratulations to all artists and staff involved!
Featured Image Credit: Anya Kozel’27
Leave a Reply