One of the first art theses that greets visitors upon entering the Sheehan Gallery is Kento Ushikubo’s “The Auq,” a nearly 10-foot leech-like monster, whose open mouth visitors are invited to step into.

“The Auq represents the imaginary that humans feared as children,” Ushikubo wrote in an Artist’s Statement hanging nearby the piece.

“The Auq” is part of Senior Art Thesis Exhibition, a display of theses by 11 Whitman senior art majors.

On Friday, April 18, the exhibition opened with a reception at the gallery. The reception was preceded by the Perry Award Lecture by contemporary artist and Perry Award Juror Marie Shurkus.

“It’s really interesting to have met the lecturer beforehand and then to see what she’s interested in,” said thesis presenter Emma Wood.

Wood, whose thesis is an installment of light boxes that experiments with shadow and silhouette, described the atmosphere as unreal.

“It’s like we’re in a real gallery space with people I don’t know, when I see their work; I know the people and I know what they’ve been working on, but seeing it here with the polished product… it’s crazy.”
Wood also described the experience to be exhilarating.

“It’s really exciting to see people walk around and look at your work, and eavesdrop incognito since they don’t know you,” she said.

Fellow thesis presenter, Sylvia Imbrock, felt similarly.

“I’m over the shock,” said Imbrock. “It was really weird to have a whole ton of people walking through here and looking at the work. I feel a lot more relaxed and it’s really great to hear people’s responses and see what people are drawn to in all the works.”

“I think the exhibition looks really great,” said attendee, sophomore Mallory Powers. “I’ve had classes with some of these people and it’s really interesting to see what they’ve done and how their works have progressed. I noticed some things that they worked on for classes that I’ve been in, but to see it morph into a show they’ve put together is really inspiring.”

Art professor Mare Blocker agreed.

“It’s really exciting and it’s the culmination of everyone’s work,” said Blocker. “I love matching the parents with the kids, ’cause you hear so much about them all year, and so many people did pieces about their families.”

Thesis presenter Ashley Lau was one of these people.

“I have realized more strongly than ever, that my values and ties to my family are an integral part of me and the way that I am with others,” wrote Lau in an artist’s statement that hung by her thesis, a series of five ceramic pieces which explored the growth of the artist from childhood to maturity.

“It’s really exciting and really interesting to hear people’s reactions to my work,” Lau said. “It’s just a happy celebration.”

Other thesis presenters included Jason Brain, Gayle Chung, Sarah Haas, Gregory Hansen, Mysha Oveson, Ryan Peinhardt and Sunyoung Yi.

Although Blocker loved the exhibition, she said she enjoyed the prospect of the week ending.

“I love it when this week is over, because everyone’s working so hard. Now everyone can take a deep breath and relax a little,” she said.

The exhibition will be open until May 18.