The first Union Art Gallery exhibit of the fall semester features “The Ides of South,” which presents the artist, Roy Adkins’ photographic depictions of Southern life.
The exhibit opened Sept. 6 and can be seen on the second floor of the Colvard Student Union through Oct. 27.
Adkins, a Mississippi State alumnus, said he used to look at the South in a negative way because of Southern stereotypes.
“At some point I figured I needed to embrace where I grew up,” Adkins said.
With his perspective of the South, he said he thought that others might share his view and could relate to his show.
The exhibit allowed Adkins a chance to practice taking pictures of the place he was raised in, which was a struggle for him, he said.
“Part of [the exhibit] was trying to work through things I wasn’t good at,” Adkins said.
The exhibit was selected when Adkins met Samantha Musil, assistant director of the Campus Activities Board, at the Double Decker Arts Festival in Oxford, he said.
“One of the objectives of the gallery is to feature local artists. Roy Adkins is definitely local,” Musil said.
Because of Adkins’ roots in the South and Mississippi, in addition to his photographic depictions of the region, she said he fits the mission of the gallery.
“I’d have to say the one of Lee hall, I think that one is my favorites,” Musil said.
Two photographs of MSU were taken for the exhibit, Adkins said.
He said he wanted to include pictures of the campus in the exhibit and admired the campus shots of the late photographer Fred Faulk.
Sophomore communication major Achante Smith said even though she’s not an art major, she still enjoyed the exhibit.
“I liked it. Most of his work is more modern and things that people our age could relate to,” she said.
He seemed pretty passionate about his work and didn’t seem to be into photography for the money, Smith said.
“Sun and Sand” and “Yellow Bull” possess some of the core ideas of why he put the show together, Adkins said.
The “Yellow Bull” photograph has a house in the background with a statue of yellow bull in the front yard with bold letters that state, “Jesus saves.”
“[Southerners] are proud of what we believe in, and we think everyone should feel it too,” Adkins said.
Being back on his old campus with a show in the new Union feels just like another exhibit for him, he said.
“I think it’s been weirder talking to students than having the show,” Adkins said.
He has given talks to students on campus, and he said the art students seemed to be receptive to the discussions.
“[The exhibit] doesn’t take the place of the critiques I used to get at State, but it does give some feedback,” Adkins said.
For more information about Adkins, visit lightandglass.net.
Photos featured in Adkins’ “The Ides of the South” attempt to capture the Southern lifestyle.