Art show displays variety, simplicity

The artwork of Alison Harris was displayed in Gallery 239 of Memorial Hall and was relatively simple in its image, though upon closer inspection, reveals a lot of detail. The display is in a linear fashion, the drawings lined around the room as though a line were drawn straight through their centers—a reflection of the lines in her own drawings. She uses ink and a small bit of water color to capture the models of her artwork.

Every piece has ink and most have no color to them aside from the black on her white paper. Most of the drawings portray women in various poses and stages of their lives though all look relatively young. Christine, Heidi, and Heather appeared to be the names of her main models and there was a special attention paid to the features of the face. The pieces are displayed on a black wall with soft lighting that only seems to enhance the shadows she uses in the details of her work.

Two pieces are displayed side by side and in the center of the line of her work, making them jump out and catch the eye more than the rest. “Anticipation – Version 1” and “Anticipation – Version 2” are made from ink and water color, like the rest of the drawings in her display; however, these two hold more color in them than the others. The figure in the painting is actually in color, wearing a black dress and red lipstick, she appears to be waiting to go out somewhere. The first of the two has less defined lines and there are areas where the water color in the image appears to have dripped down the painting. The second has lines that are well defined and while the color sometimes drifts out of those lines, it stays within the realm of where the mind of the beholder would expect it to be.

Another piece, “Boojum – 2nd Study,” stands out among the lineup although it is fairly easily to be missed if not paying close attention. It almost has a way of hiding behind the door of the entrance, however, it is one of the most unique among the display because of the model used—a dog. One lying down but not asleep, curled up on the floor. The drawing is again with ink and appears to be looking down on the somewhat sad looking canine.