Walking into UM-St. Louis Gallery 210 knowing that its most recent exhibit was a collection of high school art projects – even from the SLPS’ Visual and Performing Arts School program – it’s hard not to have preconceived notions and sell the young people short in advance.
But Rodney Allen’s nearly life sized illustration of a rhyme competition entitled “Rap Battle” lets viewers know upon entry that age is nothing but a number when it comes to creativity and talent.
“Rap Battle” is the perfect selection to usher in the 100 pieces by the best and brightest of the Central VPA visual art programs decorating the walls for the 4th Annual Portfolio exhibit. The show opened last Friday, and the annual juried exhibition of artwork by juniors and seniors from Central Visual and Performing Arts High School will be displayed at 210 through May 23.
For many of the student artists, Portfolio provides them with the first opportunity to fast-forward and see their work as it would appear in a professional exhibit.
“They loved the presentation, and I thought it was just so elegantly shown,” said Central VPA art instructor Bill Perry.
“The gallery did a fabulous job with how the works look. The kids were kind of amazed and they had no idea the show would look that good.”
Guests who visit the exhibit will likely feel the same way about the art that the students submitted to be displayed.
Undeniably inspired pop culture – which has been absorbed by the hip-hop generation – this work reflects the reality and fantasies of its creators through portraits of famous rappers and an overall hip-hop feel to the technique.
Homage was also paid to older musical forms, such as blues and jazz, while sprinkling in some self-expression with portraits of themselves, fellow students, Romanian orphans as well as abstract pieces.
“I appreciate the time and effort that they put in to make it look the way that it is,” said Ahmad Kemp, a junior at Central VPA, who is participating in his second Portfolio presentation.
“It’s definitely good exposure, and I was excited because it was more people seeing my stuff.”
While many students at Central are getting an art world introduction through their first exhibit, there is a reciprocation of learning and experience as students at UMSL serve as curators of Portfolio.
The works range from fun celebrity portraits on painted earthenware to acrylics devoted to the heavy topics of suicide/self-mutilation. Many of the pieces told a story with wisdom and insight that seemed far beyond the age of the artist.
Four different teachers submitted work by his or her top-level kids to include in Portfolio.
“I don’t have a style yet. Sometimes it’s abstract, sometimes realistic,” said Chris Holmes, a junior at Central VPA making his second appearance at Portfolio.
“I don’t do the same thing. I approach everything differently – I draw anything with strong symbolism. Art isn’t just all that it seems when you just look at it – it’s about understanding the concept and getting people thinking, even though it’s impossible for them to know what I was thinking.”
Only two Portfolio appearances under his belt and with less than three years of working to develop his talent, and Holmes already seems to have grasped the concept of using art as a tool to provoke conversation and inspiration.
“Portfolio changes their approach to their work,” Perry said. “They become more mature because they realize that their work means something to somebody. They respect what they are doing more.”
Holmes says that the experience with the show has granted him an invaluable opportunity and motivated him to move forward towards his goal of attending the prestigious School of Visual Arts in New York City and later working as an illustrator in the advertising industry.
Kemp believes the positive reinforcement offered by Portfolio has the opportunity to make a broader impact than just spurring his career as a visual artist.
“It motivates you to keep going so that you can have more art in the African-American community,” Kemp said. “And that will hopefully create a chain reaction in the community.”
Portfolio, an exhibit featuring the art of Central VPA students, will run through May 23 at Gallery 210, located in the Telecommunity Center of University of Missouri-St. Louis, One University Blvd. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday or by appointment. For more information, call (314) 516-5976 or visit http://gallery210.umsl.edu