Robert Frost once gave a reading of his poetry and was asked to explain what a certain poem meant. He answered by reading the poem again in its entirety. Thus, poetry is what poets do.
The same concept can apply to the art world, and it is considered blasphemy to ask an artist the eternal question, “What is art?”
However, Bakersfield College photography professor Harry Wilson who, along with several other art professors, is showing his work at the faculty exhibit in the Wylie and May Louise Jones Gallery in the BC library, thinks he knows what it is.
“Art is what artists do,” he said.
And thus begins the eternal search to understand art. This search may be made a little easier however for those who go to the gallery to see the work done by Wilson and other art professors Al Davis, Al Naso, Nelson Richardson, Chalita Brossett Robinson, Marlene Tatsuno and Tina Niswonger.
Gallery director Lee Clark said the art is being showcased along with a brief description of the artist’s intent to make it easier to understand.
“This is the primary function of this gallery, the exposure of students from BC who otherwise might not have access to fine art,” Clark said.
The exhibit opened Feb. 4 and runs through March 21. Many of the artists were present at the opening reception to talk to people about their work and various styles.
BC student Karen Snow, 23, said the gallery was a good opportunity to see if the professors know what they’re actually talking about.
“Sometimes, you wonder ‘What is this person talking about? Do they even know what they’re talking about?’ ” she said. “It’s good to see that they do have a grasp on what they’re teaching.”
Some of the most interesting work on display comes from Niswonger, who has mostly shown locally and in Fresno.
She said art is the artist making a deliberate statement, and it’s apparent her etches, from her “Black & White & Red All Over” series have a constant theme of the power invested in the media, with haunting images of an old typewriter, various memos to a newspaper staff called “The California Sun” and headlines that could create or uncover scandals.
The etchings are done in stark shades of gray, black and brown. One of the most startling is “Black & White & Red All Over #8” which depicts a group of people, seemingly all faceless and melting into one.
Niswonger said the inspiration behind the series was from her experiences as a reporter and editor.
Interesting enough, if you line up the three pieces shown in the exhibit together, the word “use” is spelled in dripping paint like smeared blood.
“It has to do with the media, and the newspaper(s) and the power of words,” she said. “The power that the media has and the potential abuse for that power.”
For those who prefer bright colors, there is Robinson’s work, part of a series called “Walls and Windows and Wings.”
Her monotypes, prints and sculptures have a reoccurring theme of personal growth and overcoming challenges, with windows, doors and angels showing up often.
“People usually learn by making mistakes,” she said. “Coming up against a wall, and then progressing beyond that wall, and when we do, we fly.”
If you are a fan of photography, there is Wilson’s work. Wilson, who is showing nine of his works in Sacramento this month, said he uses various techniques, including double exposure.
One of the most interesting pieces in his socially concerned series is “Wat Memorial, Bangkok, Thailand, 2000,” an introspective piece of a girl’s picture on the memorial wall.
He said he likes to travel and explore many other cultures and that his photographs have a political element to them, like in the pictures of Laos.
“(Laos) is a country we devastated and did our best to destroy, and it’s the reality,” he said. “I went to Laos and we’ve dropped more bombs on that little country than were dropped on all sides during World War II, and most Americans don’t know about that. For years, it was a secret war that Nixon and Kissinger didn’t want us to know about.”
Davis’ paintings, mostly watercolors, show various textures, and were inspired by nature and where he resides, Hart Flat.
His dedication to textures is most apparent in pieces such as “Nudist Camp,” a painting done in acrylics that is spooky with tangled branches that almost appear to be people. He said showing his work is not always an easy task for him.
“Being an artist is such a solitary act,” he said.
“Artists tend not to get too many pats on the back. … I think it’s hard in general for artists to talk about themselves. Artists most of the time do not want to beat their own chest, they’d rather hire someone to do it for them.”
He said that failing sometimes is essential.
“The success of being good at organizing and composing has to do with being a failure,” he said. “If you’re not unsuccessful, then it’s hard to recognize when you are.”
Naso’s abstract drawings are interesting swirls of black and white, allowing the viewer to use their imagination as to what it really depicts.
Tatsuno’s work is mainly glass-blowing and sculpture, and Richardson dabbles in the illusion of creating depth on a flat surface in his paintings.
“Extra Pulp” is done in bright dots of yellow and orange, which messes with your optic nerves (in a good way) much like those 3-D pictures you continue to stare at in hopes of seeing a sailboat.
BC President Dr. Sandra Serrano said the exhibit is a good place for students to view all different types of art.
“I think it’s tremendous that the students have the opportunity to see the work of their professors, that way they are able to understand the influence our faculty has on the art community,” she said.
Serrano said she is familiar with the faculty’s work and is a big fan. She said she prefers attractive art that is pleasing to the eyes and done in bright colors, but that art is all about variety.
“That’s what it is about: art. Everyone has their own opinion, perspective, influence by their lives, so you can appreciate it,” she said.
Nancy Merrick, 65, is taking Robinson’s figure drawing class and is a part of the Bakersfield Art Association. She said that while she misses the days when the gallery was used to showcase artist from the community, she enjoyed the work.
“I hope everybody on campus gets to come and see it,” she said. “If they don’t, they’re missing out on something wonderful.”