Some people dispute that biology is everywhere. Others debate that art is everywhere. People may argue that one is alive and thriving and the other is dying, yet surviving. There may be a gap between the factual and the emotional and a fine line between the rational and irrational between the two. However, I am here to tell you that rather than challenge each other, I feel as if the two complement each other. Either choice as a career is still fulfilling, and the surrealism movement highlights the appreciation within the art community.
Surrealism is a style of art that heavily emphasizes the subconscious and irrational significance in life through visual stimulus, has formulated into a movement that originated in the 20th century and is now flooding into the 21st century. Surrealist artists all around the world are contributing to the style and movement by exposing it to as many people as possible so it will hopefully catch track, including our own Mississippi State University audience in the small town of Starkville.
Recently, MSU held an exhibition at the Cullis Wade Depot gallery called LUSO American Surrealism of the 21st Century. Many artists who participated felt the need to expose conservative Mississippi to the traveling international show, to bring forth the independence it has caused with other viewers it connects with. It also inspires other surrealist artists who are struggling to gain traction with their own work to keep pursuing their career. Shahla Rosa, well known international surrealist artist whose artwork was a focal point throughout the gallery, said she wants her artwork to allow viewers, “the freedom of thought and expression to think for themselves and capture their true identity.” She even went as far to say, “They need it.”
Joe MacGown, MSU entomologist, scientific illustrator and local artist, initially proposed the idea for the show to be here a year ago and contributed as well. He felt it was imperative he did so to allow that therapeutic outlet he gets from doing art almost every night and weekend and the one society gets when they feel his and other surrealists’ artwork truly resonates with and understands them.
Lori Neuenfeldt, gallery director, and Matthew Gordon, exhibition coordinator, both felt with surrealism being so irrational that hopefully after all of their hard work and people experience each different piece juxtaposed to one another while the show is running it would hopefully ignite something the viewers never felt before and would inspire them to not only discover more about the movement, but themselves as well.
Although modern day social norms deem a career in art not fulfilling economically speaking, contributing artists felt differently about the fulfillment it provides elsewhere. Rhandi Watson, MSU painting major and exhibition artist, said, “Food, shelter and money may be important, but it’s draining to imagine not waking up happy and enjoying what you do. Even if you die in the process, you’re impacting something much bigger than yourself.”
Another MSU student who participated, Joseph MacGown said, “You have to have those people who are willing to practice with the threat of not receiving money in the end..”
His father, Joe MacGown “Even though I thankfully made over $30,000 last year in my artwork alone, if you’re going to do a job whether it be art or not, be passionate about it and enjoy it. With an art career, you have to be yourself, unique, daring, practical, passionate and market yourself.”
One of the visiting artists, Pamela Ann Venz, said she was once asked by a family member with a medical profession, “We save humans. What do you do?” To that she replied, “I explore what it means to be human,” Lori Neuenfeldt said. “Art allows us a glimpse into the past and its culture. Cave paintings, Egyptian tombs and Greek vases are just a few examples of things that have helped us piece together our history, and I have no doubt future generations will do the same with us.” Think about it. Presently, how do you think you know where to go to the bathroom? A stick figure drawing helps you out. “Ironic how simplistic that is, but funny how it works out” Shahla Rosa said, “In this career field, especially in the U.S., you probably won’t make money. But, you have to be daring and passionate from the bottom of your heart in your work. I started over 30 years ago, and only recently I started getting noticed. Five years ago, no one was interested in this work, but now the younger generation is seemingly becoming interested. It’s only the start of the movement in which I believe will shape the decades and century to come.”
Most importantly, each artist all unknowingly agreed they could not imagine doing anything else. Through this experience, I have learned that art is a universal language in which everyone can relate to whether they do it for a living or not. I have also learned the limitation is no longer within society, but rather the suppression within yourself. “Just do it,”as Joe MacGown said. Art needs you as much as you need art.
