A new student exhibit at the Norick Arts Center combines superheroes and Japanese tradition.
XinChen (Jack) Cai, studio art junior, is the artist behind the exhibit. His paintings are displayed in the building with the works of other student artists.
Cai’s focus is mainly on the art of painting.
“I can create different kinds of paintings, such as oil paintings, watercolors, printmaking, and sketches,” he said.
The exhibit combines popular and traditional influences from America and Japan.
“I’ve always wanted to combine Japanese culture with other things that inspire my art,” he said.
Cai said he achieved this combination by painting characters from the Batman comic book series with Japanese flowers, warriors and clothing.
“I normally work in oils but decided to explore acrylic paint for this series,” Cai said. “I feel I achieved the results I was seeking.”
Kyla Brugel, film production/studio art senior, went to the exhibit Aug. 20.
“The exhibit is displayed in a hallway near the studio,” Brugel said. “It is in a good location for students to see as they go to class, and the bright colors of the works caught my eye.”
Brugel said Cai’s colorful artwork definitely stuck in her memory.
“I am a huge comic book fan, so I love that someone can create such a beautiful tribute by blending the art styles of different cultures,” she said. “It is clearly recognizable as comic book characters, but the style is unique from comic book art I’ve seen.”
The series was part of a summer independent art studio course that Cai took under the guidance of Danny Rose, the visiting artist for Petree College of Arts and Sciences.
Rose said Cai is still making small changes to his paintings, and the title of the collection needs to be added, but the exhibit is otherwise ready. The exhibit will be featured all semester. Cai said the course gives students a lot of artistic freedom.
“First of all, this course requires you to determine a theme, then you need to decide how you create—I chose to paint with acrylic paint—and finally discuss your work with the professor,” Cai said. “After the revision of some small problems, I finished the course.”
Cai said the class has potential to change the way students think about art.
“I think this course can stimulate students’ interest in art,” Cai said. “I feel that my thinking in painting has changed, and I think more about the work itself.”
Cai said he hopes to become an art teacher in the future or work in a gallery.
Norick Art Center’s next exhibition is called “Take a Seat,” and is a collection of feminist art. Take a Seat will be on display from Sept. 6 to Oct. 3, with the opening reception at 6 p.m. on Sept. 14 in Norick Art Center.
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