The Mini 2018 Features Seven Unique Art Pieces

Kristina Reinis explains her artwork to a visitor. 
(photo by Joy Yauger Camp)

By Joy Yauger Camp

Last week, 10 student artists at Trinity University debuted their artwork in a formal exhibition for the first time on campus, said Randy Wallace, 49, the acting Studio Manager here at Trinity University.

A competitively juried annual student exhibition, The Mini 2018 attracted more than 200 visitors on the opening night on Thursday at the Michael and Noémi Neidorff Art Gallery. Wallace said he was “thrilled about it.” He attributed the big turn out to the fact that the show is not a “cookie cutter show,” but showcased seven pieces of unique artwork.

Dinda Lehrmann, 20, and senior Erina Coffey sought to “raise awareness of race issues and discrimination in the United States, as well as other countries by highlighting the beauty of skin tones,” said Lehrmann. Their work used chicken wire, which serves as a base for attaching tissue paper of varying skin tones.

Other intriguing compositions seen throughout the gallery include a piece by Kristina Reinis, 20, majoring in studio art and English, called “What Agonizing Fondness.” It tells the story of “our intrinsic desire to hold onto memories” of the ones we love and hold dear, she said.

Her piece consists of 10 watercolor paintings appearing as photos hung above one’s desk. The composition seeks to convey the idea that despite our desire to hold on, memories blur and fade over time, no longer remaining the clear picture they once were. Through the use of muted earth tones extracted from flower petals, her work presents a range of soft yellow, pink, green, and brown hues.

Reinis said she chose this approach deliberately, knowing that the paintings will continue to fade over time, just as our memories do. Trinity student Loretta Rodriguez, 19, said that while the entire exhibit was good, she “kept coming back to this one.”

While the exhibit is called “mini” probably due to its small scale, its size belies its personality. The depth of meaning behind the works reverberates and carries value, recognizing issues in politics, such as religion and equality, and body image.

Guests enjoyed a table of refreshments while making their way through the gallery, taking time to ponder the meaning of the artwork before them. Conversation filled the gallery with a buzz of excitement and smiles were ample amidst the crowd.

Mark Anthony Martinez, 31, manager of the Michael and Noémi Neidorff Art Gallery, praised the artists and their work. “They are on point,” he said.

The exhibit will run through Monday, February 12. The gallery is located in the Dicke Smith art and music building.