Faculty art exhibition showcases diversity of styles

COLUMBIA — On a wall of the George Caleb Bingham Art Gallery is a big, bright abstract work inspired by Chinese calligraphy. It's a striking statement in reds and blacks, and Lampo Leong loves to talk about it.

"It is the time, the mood, and the energy that makes the story, and no matter where you stand, there is something to discover each time you look at the painting," said Leong, art department chair and professor of drawing and painting at MU.

"My work is a combination of a synthesis of cultures ­— Western culture and the Chinese culture," Leong said. "My work fits the current postmodern movement of art, and reflects the diversity and globalization of the world today."

His work is currently on display in the University of Missouri Art Faculty Show, alongside the work of 23 other members of the art department. The art faculty hosted a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday in the gallery. Pieces created by adjunct, tenured and visiting faculty are showcased, including oil and watercolor paintings, sculpture, ceramics, video installation, photographs, prints, graphic design and fiberworks.

"What would life be like if we didn't have educators?" This was the theme of a colorful woodwork play structure by Jim Calvin, an associate professor of art and sculpture teacher. "In general, my role as an artist is to express lighthearted social criticism. The arts have a role to play in social critique," Calvin said.

Art student Jacob Crook said he appreciated the opportunity to see work by seven of his former and current art professors and to observe their range of styles within their chosen medium.

"All of the styles are very different and personal, yet each piece works on its own," Crook said he has been working a long time in charcoal but has recently "fallen in love" with oil painting.

"All the faculty have such diverse media and content area," said Daniel Farnum, gallery director and professor of photography, who has some work in the show and has been planning the event since last May. He said he has been working on a photography project since this past spring, and some of those photographs are on display.