Senior artwork placed on display in Hewes Library

By: Sarah Sherry
Contributing Writer

The first group of Monmouth College Senior Exhibitions will be on display in the Len G. Everett Gallery in the Hewes Library until April 18.

This display features artwork from Lindsay Andrews and Lee Gabbert, both of Galesburg, W. Michael Schmidt of McHenry and Jeremy Kafka of Huntley. There will be a reception today, March 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. Both the exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.

Andrews is an art major with a minor in business. Her work will feature a combination of computer-generated color art, as well as some black and white pencil drawings, all of human figures. Andrews’ print “Plum Blossom Branch Logo,” won first place in the design category at the Monmouth College Student Art Show in 2006.

“I believe that to convey a subject’s essence, one has to find its emotional core. As an artist, my goal is to manifest these emotions into a viable artifact which can be reflected upon by others,” said Gabbert. Gabbert’s past exhibitions include the Carl Sandburg Student Show in 2004 and 2005, the Galesburg Civic Art Center Members and Friends Show 2005 and the Peoria Art Guild Members Show in 2003. He is also the recipient of the Waltershausen Sculpture Award from the Monmouth College Student Art Show in 2006.

Schmidt is an art major with a concentration in painting. His awards include Best in Show at the Monmouth College Student Art Show in 2006 for a painting entitled “Walker Texas Ranger and Me” and the First State Bank of Western Illinois Monmouth Branch Purchase Award in 2005 for an ink wash entitled “Wallace Hall.” “I would describe my work and painting style as aggressive. I work quickly, using thick, bold colors,” he stated, when asked about his techniques. Schmidt has been influenced by the work of Lucian Freud, Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt and Francis Bacon.

“My design deals with layering objects that mainly relate to sport athletes and highlighting their features about them. I use lots of color and many different layers to really push the idea of depth and consistency … The use of color is what really gives my work that extra look,” said Kafka. Kafka, an art major with a concentration in graphic design, has featured artwork in the Monmouth College Student Art Show from 2003-2006. He also designed the logo for the Monmouth College baseball team in 2007.