‘Art in the Union’ a canvas of competition and connection for artists of all majors

With its puzzle-like appearance and distorted image of a human body, the assembled wood panel painting evokes a somewhat nostalgic feeling of reminiscing an early past experience.

“My idea was to depict what it feels like to recall a memory,” said Sally Chung, a second-year fine arts student who created the piece. “At first I painted two bodies but thought it looked too put-together, so I rearranged the piece to look more fragmented.”

Chung’s wood panel artwork was entered in a contest held by Associated Students UCLA known as “Art in the Union,” which allows UCLA students to enter artwork of any medium to be displayed in Kerckhoff Hall Art Gallery from April 23 to May 3. During these two weeks, up to five pieces are chosen as winners to be kept in the permanent collection. Winners of the event are also awarded $600 along with the greater prize of having their works seen by many students.

Roy Champawat, director of UCLA Student Union, said over the course of the two weeks the artworks are displayed, a panel of judges including board members of the Student Union will select the winning pieces.

Another entrant in the contest is third-year fine arts student Lily Kurosaki, who submitted an oil painting. Kurosaki said as a transfer student new to the school, she wanted to participate in some event on campus to become more involved. Kurosaki’s piece depicts the human torso, which speaks on the issue of body image, a subject that she said she believes is relevant to everyone.

“It’s a 12-by-12(-inch) canvas where I depicted the mid-section of the body,” Kurosaki said. “The whole idea was the concept of self-image. That painting is sort of a reflection of me and my thoughts about the human body, but I want others to look at it and think of themselves and think about how we all perceive the body.”

As a student who embraces various forms of artwork, from animation to architecture, Kurosaki said she believes “Art in the Union” is a special event because it allows all students to show off their creative expression.

“It’s not only limited to art majors, which is a good thing,” Kurosaki said. “It’s open to all students, which I think is a great idea since there’s sort of a stereotype that art majors are the only ones good at art, but you could be a (different) major and still love art.”

Like Kurosaki, Chung said she is an experienced student artist familiar with painting and sculpture. She said she was excited for the event mainly because it provides an opportunity to display her panel piece with current and future Bruins.

“I think it’s really cool that they pick artwork to decorate the campus,” Chung said. “It doesn’t happen too much but I jumped at the opportunity because I think it’s cool to have your work seen by generations of students.”

While Chung and Kurosaki are newcomers to the annual UCLA event, Adara Lui, a second-year fine arts student, entered the competition last year. This year Lui submitted a watercolor painting – she participated in the contest again because she said she enjoys being able to contribute her artwork to the campus.

“It was interesting seeing my work exhibited in Kerckhoff Gallery because it’s a whole different experience having strangers view your work as opposed to classmates,” Lui said.

In addition to having an interesting experience, Lui, like the other participants, said she believes the occasion is more than just a casual event. She said she views the exhibition as an opportunity for all students to come together.

“UCLA gives a lot of opportunities for students to exhibit their skills and their ideas,” Lui said. “Oftentimes a lot of people have to look for these sort of contests, but this one is encouraged and free.”