Student exhibit showcases ceramics and sculptures through May 1

North Central College presents a student exhibit, featuring ceramics and sculptures by senior Lauren Denler, of Homer Glen, through May 1.

Titled “Anatomy of the Vessel,” the free exhibit is on display in the College’s Meiley-Swallow Hall Gallery, 31 S. Ellsworth St. An artist’s reception will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 22, in the gallery; light refreshments will be served.

A double major in studio art and art history, Denler feels the human body is one of the most spectacular forms of art. “Through my ceramic and sculptural work, I have focused on the physical attributes of the human form and its anatomical structure as well as portraying positive and negative aspects of daily human life through significant materials,” says Denler. “My work forces the viewers to have a visceral experience with the subject matter of the ‘body,’ while they also question my implied themes.”

Some of Denler’s work focuses on the damaging psychological aspects that many people endure concerning their bodies, including their struggles to keep physically healthy. “I’ve been intrigued by the effect of natural and unnatural products on and within the human body that we unknowingly expose ourselves to every day,” Denler says. “By placing toxic and natural products directly on the human form, the bareness provides a surreal perspective of actually seeing these products at one’s core.” The use of unconventional media, she notes, adds to their visual interest and complements the vision of her work.

“I have used the human body as an outlet because of its beauty, but more importantly for the recognizable and relatable connection it creates with the viewers through its physical form,” Denler says.

Art students at North Central College learn traditional and contemporary media, to communicate ideas visually, and engage in analytical, critical and abstract thinking. Students attend gallery and museum openings and exhibits in Naperville and Chicago, meet visiting artists, enter juried exhibitions and gain an academic foundation for graduate study in studio art, art education, art history, art therapy, arts administration, art criticism and visual communications. Visit northcentralcollege.edu/majors/art to learn more about North Central’s art program.