Artistic expressions—SUNY Oswego’s fall Master of Arts Thesis Exhibition will display the evocative work of graduate degree candidates David James—his “Beats Per Minute” copper etching monoprint is pictured—and Marlon Vassell from Oct. 31 to Nov. 15 at Tyler Art Gallery in Penfield Library.
Graduate degree candidates David James and Marlon Vassell will exhibit artwork inspired by vivid life events from Oct. 31 to Nov. 15 in Tyler Art Gallery during SUNY Oswego’s fall Master of Arts Thesis Exhibition.
A reception for the artists will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, in the gallery on Penfield Library’s second floor.
James, who works as a manager of telecommunications operations at the college and is a part owner of Movement Skateboards, earned a bachelor of arts degree at SUNY Oswego in 2001. His exhibition, titled “Serotonin,” represents a long journey with anxiety.
“The process of exposing myself into my art has been extremely therapeutic, more than I would have imagined,” James said in an artist’s statement. “It took me years to push myself to uncomfortable boundaries. I always used art to run from the anxiety but the answer was to run into it.”
James’ work involves using the tools of graphic design coupled with structural sculpture. His art represents his struggle, according to his statement.
Vassell, born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, developed a series of carved linoleum prints titled “Fruition” to honor the memory of his great-grandmother, who provided for her family by taking produce to the market to sell.
“There will be a series of seven prints showcased in the exhibition,” Vassell wrote in an artist’s statement. “Each print is symbolic of my Jamaican culture and is deeply rooted in the history of the island and its people.”
Vassell began at SUNY Oswego in 2009 in the Educational Opportunity Program, and earned his bachelor or arts degree with graphic design emphasis.
“As a designer I think it’s wonderful to fully explore a variety of design alternatives, and although I enjoy being on the computer, I enjoy spontaneity when I create my pieces and feel most connected when I am working to create something beautiful by hand,” he wrote.
Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Parking on the SUNY Oswego campus requires a permit; drivers without a current campus parking sticker can visit oswego.edu/administration/parking for information on obtaining a $1 day-use permit.