Expressions of identity at Kerckhoff Art Gallery

By Susan Lee
Daily Bruin Contributor

If pictures were worth a thousand words, the Kerckhoff Art
Gallery might resemble a giant encyclopedia collection. From the
outside, the gothic architecture of Kerckhoff is striking. But once
through the wooden doors of the Kerckhoff Art Gallery, it is the
art that strikes the attention of students.

The Kerckhoff Art Gallery has welcomed student art, along with
poetry readings, campus group exhibits and acted as a meeting place
for years.

The current exhibit, entitled "Passions" by UCLA senior Jennifer
Henry, showcases themes like spirituality, and Swedish and
Norwegian heritage and identity.

As an artist, Henry has always felt that art is a part of the
soul. As a student, her ultimate goal was to have her own solo show
by the end of her year at UCLA. When co-directors of the Kerckhoff
Art Gallery Amy Burnham and Ann Wagner told her that there was
space in the gallery for her exhibit, Henry jumped at the
chance.

"I was so excited to be able to put anything I wanted to
anywhere I wanted to on the walls," Henry said. "Artists have to be
ready to have the confidence to show their body of work. It’s a
risk to put the work out there but it’s wonderful to have all that
space."

One of the toughest things about being a student artist is
receiving the audience’s reaction. According to Henry, the first
time a student has his or her art critiqued is frustrating and
hurtful because her art is very personal to her identity.

"Even though your peers or teachers are trying to help, it takes
a while to get used to the critique," Henry says. She feels that
art begins in believing in yourself and staying with it, although
she cites her teaching assistant, Dan Hernandez. as well as
Professor Patty Wickman as people who helped her out.

"Professionals have a certain product to put out and students
can experiment and express themselves while having fun," Henry
says.

Henry enjoys her student status and realizes that the
professional art world is full of challenges.

"It’s especially hard to be an artist in L.A. since the art
world can be cutthroat. Not only is there a lot of competition but
there’s also the part about trying to please the gallery," Henry
says. "Art in L.A. is not about art anymore, but about the issues.
Sometimes they care less about the quality of the painting but more
about what it’s trying to say."

Since both Burnham and Wagner are art majors, their knowledge
helps them conduct their jobs as co-directors of the art gallery
and also to see both business and artistic perspectives.

They also hope that the artwork in the gallery will make
students think about the issues portrayed.

"Everyone’s an artist in some way," Burnham says, "And it’s nice
to have art with cultural or social significance."

Upcoming cultural exhibits include the GALA (Gay and Lesbian
Association) exhibit, which coincides with National Coming Out
Week, as well as another exhibit put on by Samahang Pilipino which
happens in conjunction with Pilipino history month.

"We love art that speaks to us and to other students," Wagner
says. "If it hits them or makes them think about something, then
that’s great."

Although putting an exhibit together may be time consuming, it
is also a very fulfilling experience.

"Art allows you to find an identity and to identify issues …
there’s such a wide sphere of influence," Henry says.

Burnham agrees, adding that the artwork gives viewers a
different experience every time.

"It’s hard to decide what goes too far since art’s place is to
express," Burnham said. "Certain things are just communicated
better than others through art."

Even though controversy sometimes arises, Kerckhoff Gallery has
been fortunate.

"We’ve been lucky that we can have it open all the time,"
Burnham said. "Although it may be upsetting, people have enough
respect not to destroy the artwork … and that really says a lot
about the students here."

For students wishing to share their own ideas, a Kerckhoff
exhibit is only an application away. The application asks for a
brief description of the artwork, as well as slides or photos of
the artwork. However, students do not have to be art majors to have
their work displayed.

ART: Jennifer Henry’s "Passions" at the
Kerckhoff Art Gallery ends Oct. 4. Those interested in applying can
obtain an application at 306 Kerckhoff Hall.