"The Phases”: An Exhibit of Life and Death

Rachel Levi
For The Clock
srlevi@mail.plymouth.edu

“The Phases” is an exhibit currently on displayed in the Collins Art Gallery located on the second floor of Draper and Maynard. Featuring the art of Plymouth State seniors Brittany Brennan and Nikki Friedman, this exhibit is one of diverse mediums. Where Brennan’s predominantly 2D work reflects elements generating a sense of livelihood, Friedman’s 3D pieces pose a distinct contradiction, consisting mainly of pieces reflecting death.

What are these two drastically different styles doing together?

Upon first glance these pieces seem to stand in great contrast. The name of their exhibit “The Phases” directly correlates to Brennan and Friedman’s contrast in style.

“Brittany came up with the show title,” said Freidman. “We felt the title was appropriate for our show because our work has a theme of life and death. Brittany’s inspiration comes from family and memories, while my work has to do with decay and how we perceive death.”

Upon closer examination, the melding of each artist’s individual pieces begins to fulfill the aspiration of the show’s title.

“Brittany and I wanted to have a show together because we are best friends, and it’s her last year as a student. I still have one more semester to go,” said Freidman. “We figured it would be nice to have a show together to end our senior year.”

The artwork certainly sparks contemplation, as viewers glance from Brennan’s vibrant oil paintings to Friedman’s haunting, unglazed ceramic swan hung by its neck.

“I chose not to glaze my sculptures because I felt that it would take away from the natural look of the clay,” said Friedman. She said glaze would distract from the meaning she was aiming to instill within her work.

“This year, a lot of my work has to do with death and how we perceive death as humans. I wanted to focus on the inevitability that death can have on us, but also focus on beauty that can be found after it. The inspiration in my pieces came from experiences and current events.”

Friedman, like any passionate artist, wants to continue evolving her style. “I am still trying to develop my own voice as an artist, but I am starting to find things in my work that I am drawn to such as nature, animals, and skeletons.”

“I think every artist is unique in his or her own way. Everyone has a different style and communicates ideas differently.”