Editor’s note: A story titled “Splinter: An Exhibition” by Isabelle Altman in The Commercial Dispatch Dec. 26, 2015, introduced the community-based social art experiment designed to sufficiently rehabilitate an older, vacant house in Columbus and mount a unique art exhibit in it this spring. The exhibition’s opening reception is Thursday.
Only five months ago, the aging white house at the corner of Third Avenue North and 14th Street in Columbus stood empty and silent. It is still uninhabited, but the stark silence has been replaced with an intermittent hum of activity, especially when Splinter Exhibition volunteers have been on hand with brooms, mops, hammers, rakes, disinfectant and elbow grease. The old structure’s stagnant atmosphere is now one of anticipation for the Thursday opening of “Splinter: An Exhibition” that will fill its rooms.
The concept for the community-based social art experiment originated with Dustin Vance of Columbus. Splinter is part of his thesis work for a master’s degree from the Pacific Northwest College of Art.
Vance, who did his undergraduate work at Mississippi University for Women, thought, why not tap Mississippi artists to interpret a common theme? A theme that, like the pieces –or splinters — of the house falling prey to time, represents segments of society that often feel marginalized or splintered from the mainstream, whether because of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or socio-economic circumstances. Like the weathering fragments of the house leased to Vance for the project by owners Wilbur and Dorothy Colom, the artists represent parts of a whole.
The diversity of artists is reflected in the cross-section of community volunteers who have come together to clear the house of debris, strip up old carpet and linoleum, replace fixtures, seal openings in walls and windows and much more in time for the opening.
A sampling of artists
On Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the exhibit opens with a public reception at 1324 Third Ave. N. Twelve artists will make a statement with their art installations, photography, drawings, illustrations and dance performance. A few of them spoke about their participation.
As a former youth minister, Ruthe Guerry of Columbus realizes that self-esteem is a major issue for young people. She can relate: She is 6-feet tall.
“We have this ideal, photoshopped, made-up image that we’re overwhelmed with everywhere, the supermarket, movies, magazines,” said Guerry, who finished with a fine arts degree at MUW in 2014. “Young people often don’t feel pretty enough, strong enough, tall enough, good enough.”
Guerry rounded up about 80 Barbie-type dolls and employs reflective surfaces and a head-turning twist to address the topic artistically. She transforms the quintessential “ideal” images into something she hopes will prompt viewers to wrestle with whatever issues they face and gain confidence in themselves.
“We’ve got to teach kids to be confident in who they are,” she emphasized.
Photographer Deja Samuel of Oxford will exhibit work representing two minorities — the LGBT community “and how that affected me growing up in the church, and also being black attending a predominantly white institution,” she said. Samuel is pursuing her fine arts degree at the University of Mississippi.
Quincy Hughes’ works in charcoal, pen and ink and pastels represent the femininity of Mother Nature, the sensuality of nature itself and how it relates to African-American women. The MUW student working on a degree in studio art will also exhibit pieces exploring “police states of America.”
“It’s really to bring attention to the words, or quotes or phrases that often occur … not the action itself,” he said.
Home
Photographer Elena Marchak photographed a series of lower income homes in Lowndes County. The Mississippi State University graduate earned her degree in fine arts in 2015.
“By photographing these houses, I am forced to remember the house that built me,” she said on the Splinter website. The dwellings may not be big or grand, but they are rich with experience. Even in the silence and stillness of each image, there is much being said.
Vance’s own installation is also tied to “home.” His table constructed of broken shards of glass speaks volumes.
Few things are more iconic in a Southern home than the kitchen table, often a hub of everyday life. The symbol reaches across boundaries of class, race, gender and religion. Families, however, can be splintered by traumatic events, such as an accident or divorce.
“When a tragic event occurs, the entire structure and dynamic of a family is shattered,” Vance said. “This is especially true of families who find themselves on the fringes of Southern society.”
The table holds a message of hope, though. From the splinters and broken pieces, something new can emerge.
“Each and every piece is unique, different and crucial to the success of the overall structure,” Vance remarked. “Just as our diverse communities come together in times of hardship and strife, we can create something new and beautiful from the splinters of our past.”
Also featured
Thursday’s exhibit also showcases the art of Jonathan Kent Adams (drawing, painting, installation); Desarea Guyton (illustration); Iyeshia Haynes (photography); Alea Landry (illustration); Alexandra Peairs (ceramic chandelier installation); Luisa Porter (photography); and Blake Summers (performance).
Most, if not all, of the works will be for sale, Vance said.
The exhibit will remain in place for the month of April. To view it after Thursday’s opening, contact Vance at 662-251-7152 or [email protected].
For more about the Splinter project, visit splintercollective.squarespace.com.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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