Members of Rice community win art kudos

---

by Anita Raman

---

Where does identity come from? What makes us human? And how can you answer questions like these? Three members of the Rice community confront these questions with the lens and with the brush.

The photographic work of Jones College sophomore Sally Brockington and Campanile Editor Andy Burmeister, with the artwork of Asst. Professor of Art and Art History Darra Keeton, will be on display in the 1996 Houston Area Exhibition held in the Blaffer Gallery of the University of Houston Fine Arts Building. The show, which opens with a preview reception Feb. 4 and closes March 31, displays the work of both established and emerging artists.

Previous exhibitions by Brockington include the Rice Student Show and the Jones College Art Show, both of which resulted in prize-winning installations. Her interest in photography began in Introduction to Drawing, which she pursued further in an independent study Problems in Photography course with Photography Coordinator Bill Thomas.

Brockington's work, a multi-image self-portrait, is titled "64." It is composed of eight images, each of which appears on canvas eight times. Each image measures 8"x8", adding to a total height of 64", Brockington's height.

The self-portraits of Brockington express the range of emotions from surprise, happiness, sadness, anger and disgust. The work was inspired by an article about a robot capable of human facial expression, leading Brockington to ask, "Am I anything more than a robot that produces?"

Burmeister's work is titled "Self Portrait with Satan's Disciples" and is one of a series of shots taken over the course of two years. Each shot of the series involves a subject that somehow represents, according to Burmeister, "something physically -- usually not something that can be pinpointed -- which I find enviable and would like to share."

The series is Burmeister's expression of the significance of identity and personal goals reflected in others. Seen as a composite, the shots raise the question of where identity resides, whether it lies in the mind or in the body. Other issues in the work are the transferability of identity and strengths and standards of beauty. The nature of the medium and its limitation to surface appearances also brought the issues of expressiveness and reticence into play.

Burmeister also studied photography at Rice with Thomas. His ultimate goals are to pursue photography professionally and have his work published. Previous exposure includes a photography display in New Mexico over the summer. Especially important to him is "the support and encouragement I've gotten from my peers and my professors at Rice, and particularly to thank all the people I have photographed for their patience and their help."

Out of 900 pieces submitted, 125 were chosen, representing 65 artists. Jurors for the show are Dana Friis-Hansen, senior curator at the Contemporary Arts Museum in Houston, New York artist Mary Miss and New Mexican artist Luis Jimenez.

Keeton's piece, a 20"x16" painting is titled "Phyla No. 3." The work is one of a series of 15 based on organic forms. The intent of the series was to evoke the processes of nature -- transformation and regeneration, filtered through emotion and memory.

Keeton, who is now in her third year teaching at Rice, is currently gaining exposure at several area shows. Her work can also be seen in a group show of drawings at Lawndale and the Barbara Davis Gallery at the Pennzoil Building, in addition to several out-of-town shows. Her work will be featured in an upcoming Sallyport article. The painting was completed in a series done during a summer residency at Yaddo.

This item appeared in the Arts & Entertainment section of the January 26, 1996 issue.

Copyright © 1996 The Rice Thresher. All Rights Reserved.
This document may be distributed electronically, provided that it is distributed in its entirety and includes this notice. However, it cannot be reprinted without the express written permission of:
The Rice Thresher, Rice University, 6100 Main, Houston, TX, 77005, USA.