Student artists lean into digital creations

Student artists lean into digital creations

April 16, 2021 LA GRANDE, Ore. – After a year of virtual interactions, two art students at Eastern Oregon University are taking their work fully digital. 

Alexis Maki and Spencer Marotto unveil their shared senior show, “Mimesis,” April 21 in the Nightingale Gallery at Eastern Oregon University. 

Maki found inspiration in the natural world and the sublime. She said her work displays the beauty of scenery while also displaying the danger in nature. 

Inspired by J. M. W. Turner’s concept of the sublime, and how beauty is inspired by love, pleasure and terror, Maki’s collages portray the beauty within an environment while also showing the spoilage hidden within the scenery. She aims to display how humans are insignificant to the power of nature, and the contrast these concepts create within a natural environment. 

Meanwhile, Marotto’s work is inspired by Greek mythology, symbolism and a digital workspace. His digital collages are influenced by everyday experiences of holding well-researched, yet middle-of-the-road, opinions on psychological and social topics, as well as technological issues. Greek statues are  often overlaid with Windows 98/XP programs, as well as varying flora that represent the characteristics of mythological figures. The collection represents Marotto’s belief that Greek literature and mythology are remarkably comparable to modern events. 

“This exhibit showcases the evolution of Alexis’ and Spencer’s technical skills and conceptual ideas. Both students have grown immensely in terms of their technical ability when it comes to Photoshop and the computer. Their ability to blend images and create digital collages is also interesting in that they’re each making strikingly different work from each other,” said Art Professor Michael Sell.  

The gallery, located in Loso Hall, is open from noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.  For more information, visit eou.edu/art or follow the Nightingale Gallery on Facebook and Instagram.

By PR Intern Emily Andrews