Natalie Marshall – Art Criticism

Get To Know All The Seniors at Valdosta State University’s Senior Art Exhibition!

By: Natalie Marshall

“Farrago”, presented by the senior class of the Valdosta State University Department of Art & Design program takes place in the Dedo Maranville Gallery. In this exhibit, 14 seniors put together an exhibit that expressed who they were or something they felt passionate about. It allows the audience to see an assortment of different types of media varying from photography, to sculpture, printmaking, and more.

Walking Through a Corrupt World of Fantasy

by Natalie Marshall

“Enchanted Forest Fire” by Raina Belleau takes place in the Dedo Maranville Gallery and brings to attention the climate crisis perpetrated by humans and how it affects every living thing. It allows the audience to experience the chaos unfolding before them when entering the exhibit. She wanted to express how people disregard nature and leave environmental issues on the back burner. There is an assortment of different animal sculptures with a touch of fake characteristics which help emphasize a fantasy feeling for the audience and according to Belleau’s artist statement, she wanted to give off a “Disneyfied version of the debauchery” (Belleau) throughout this exhibit. There are also different wooden boards placed throughout the exhibit that have different nonchalant sayings such as “It’s Fine” or “It’s been worse” which adds to the disregard for the world of nature by humans.