By
Maggie Burnett
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Two UA graduate students use art to represent their lives
Art has often been used to express emotion, provoke discussion and document important events.
University of Arizona graduate students Smita Kohl Mathews and Kristen Heist, intend their artwork to do all three.
Their paintings in the newly opened exhibit "Time, Place and Relationship," at the Lionel Rombach Gallery in the Fine Arts Complex, each relate to exactly what the title implies - a time, place or relationship in each of the artists' lives.
"My piece 'Heat,' for example, depicts my first trip to Arizona," Mathews said. "It's very about being here and feeling burnt all the time."
The exhibit is a combination of work from Mathews and Heist, both students in the UA Fine Arts program.
The pair decided to show their art together after realizing the many ways their work, as well as their lives, are related.
"We talked about major moments in our life that have shaped us - a time, place or relationship. Our background is where our work comes together," Mathews said. "We have a similar interest in color and symbolism."
Mathews went on to explain the reasoning behind her paintings in layman's terms.
"When you think of a specific moment that's amazing to you, you can remember how everything looked," she said. "My paintings symbolize an event or an event-to-be."
Mathews said her paintings are inspired from ancient Indian art paintings known as Indian Miniatures.
"I grew up in the West, and it's hard to be disconnected from your culture," she said. "When I started to look into my heritage, I fell in love with these tiny paintings, and my work is definitely informed from that."
Mathews explained that Indian Miniatures were once painted by members of the Indian royal court to denote events in the king's life.
Both artists agreed their pieces are created based on events and places in their past. However, Heist noted their painting styles are significantly different.
"(Mathews) and I have very similar sensibilities formally like color and pattern," she said. "But, these are expressed in two very different ways.
Heist added that the drastic difference between the size of hers and Mathews' paintings contributes to the differences that can be found among the two artists.
"(Mathews' paintings) are very personal. It's more of a private moment with (Mathews') paintings versus mine which, because of their (large) scale, people can relate to them more physically," she said.
Heist said her paintings also differ from Mathews in the actual objects she chooses to paint.
"I use fabric (patterns) to discuss things covered or revealed," she said. "I use tiny objects, such as forks or eggs, to clue people in to something specific to me."
Heist reflected on her life as an artist after speaking about her artistic history.
"I have always been interested in art and making work," Heist said. "I've taken art classes since I was really little. It's a passion I've been following. I've always known what I wanted to do."
