Twenty-one works of art in a variety of media, now on display through Feb. 25 in Carney Hall’s Gallery 203, are as diverse as their makers: two members of the Boston College community and residents from Newton, Allston, Waltham, Cambridge, Arlington, Bridgewater, and Lowell.
The works comprise “Multiformity,” which explores and challenges the commonalities and differences in cultural diversity and ideologies.
A collaboration between the Boston College Arts Council and Waltham-based non-profit Art in Suburbia, the exhibition allows viewers “to challenge preconceived notions about diversity, heritage, and multiculturalism,” according to organizers: “What are our immediate thoughts when we think of ‘cultural diversity’? What role does our heritage play in our daily lives, and interactions with others?”
“Multiformity”’s guest curator, Art in Suburbia Executive Director Linda Ferrer, highlights the interactions between diverse cultures and socio-political world views, putting into consideration the relationship between multiculturalism and its impact on local culture. The exhibitions Ferrer curates build a platform of intent for inquiry and dialogue through creative expression.
“It is important as artists, and as a community for others, to have an open dialogue with individuals outside of our immediate reach,” said Arts Council Program Administrator Tatiana Flis of the collaboration. “We see the art poised in such a way that it allows viewers [to engage in] critical conversations that can range from political complexities and social injustices to love and beauty.
“‘Multiformity’ gives us an opportunity to have these experiences and conversations with our local community, as well as with artists from different backgrounds.”
The exhibition brings relevant topics and the community together “in a way that engages one’s feelings and responses to the world around us,” she adds. “It encourages our artists to be observant, curious, and reflective in a way that pushes them out of their own bubble, and to share experiences with individuals outside of their daily lives.”
Among the nine artists whose work is on display are BC junior Celine Jia Rong Lim and Media Technology Services Associate Director Darren M. Herlihy. Area resident participants are Ferrer, Zhanna Cantor, Natalia Arbelaez, Kim Triedman, Rocky Cotard, Jessica TranVo, and Ruth Belmont. Their works include acrylic paintings on canvas, acrylic paintings on fabric, digital collages, mixed media collages, photography, and conceptual installation pieces.
“Boston College has opened its doors to a variety of diverse artists in the community and from other municipalities,” Ferrer said. “In this exhibition, much of what we gather is inspired by the artworks. But in order to delve deeper in understanding the pieces and each other, we encourage conversation with the artists and analysis of our own feelings.”
“Boston is a city rich in diversity, culture, and individuality,” said Kelly O’Donovan ’19, Arts Council Student Gallery director. “We’ve been able to coalesce experiences in a way that prompts both students and community members to actively reflect on the role diversity plays in their lives. This exhibition serves as a vehicle for this dialogue.”
“Multiformity” is sponsored by the Boston College Arts Council.
—Rosanne Pellegrini | University Communications | February 2019