Linfield Gallery encourages students to find voice as artists
Totem Shriver stands in front of an array of similar yet varying collages. “Depending on the media, I sometimes work with deconstructed and reconstructed images, organic lines and forms,” Shriver said in his artist statement.
It is not uncommon to most to have a moment where you think: “where do I go from here?” Or even, “where do I start?”
Totem Shriver’s exhibition, “PATH. SKY. DREAM.,” in the Linfield Gallery offers inspiration to those who have not found their path and may not understand how much freedom they have as artists.
“Art students and people in general, don’t realize how much freedom they have,” Shriver said during the artist talk. “Art students sometimes get a little taste of that but, actually, you know, students in general, you guys have a lot of freedom. So if you can, have a creative output for it. I think everybody should take an art class, even if they are not an art major. It can be very frightening, but also maybe a freeing moment, you know.”
The adjunct art professor of 3D design gave an artist talk and live performance to students, faculty, and members of the McMinnville community during the reception night Feb. 12 in the Linfield Gallery.
“I think working in different media, working with different people collaboratively, is a very interesting thing and necessary kind of thing. Once you get into the world, you need to work with all kinds of people from all backgrounds with all kinds of different ideas, so that’s what I try to exemplify in this show, working with different people and kinda co-create with them,” Shriver said.
The exhibition showcases wood carvings, both hanging and free standing, 2D collages and paint on canvas.
Shriver’s art will be displayed in the Linfield Gallery in the Miller Fine Arts Center until March 21. The Gallery is open from Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. to 5 p.m..
(Photographs by Jordan Davis)
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Photograph by Jordan Davis Attendees of the gallery opening walk around Shriver’s freestanding wood carving that occupies the middle of the Linfield Gallery while he discusses his process.
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Photograph by Jordan Davis Shriver’s exhibition showcases a variety of media, including ____ wood carvings, paint on canvas, and collages. Shriver intentionally placed each art piece in the gallery so that no two pieces were of the same medium.
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Photograph by Jordan Davis Students, faculty and the McMinnville community enjoyed drinks and snacks while watching Shiver’s live art performance and listening to Scott Winkenweder, art department chair Brian Winkenweder’s son, play music.
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Photograph by Jordan Davis Shriver reaches for a new color during his live performance. In his artist statement, Shriver noted the importance of realizing how much freedom artists have. He states: “I listen and pause until the moment is right. I begin with very little direction regarding images. Observation followed by questions.”
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Photograph by Jordan Davis Shriver pours paint onto canvas– just one of the multiple painting methods he demonstrated at the gallery opening.
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Photograph by Jordan Davis Shriver removes his canvas off the easel and takes his art to the floor in order to achieve his desired effect. Attendees walked around and asked questions during his live performance.
