Have You Checked Out the Wonderful Art by UA Employees & Family Members?

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Have You Checked Out the Wonderful Art by UA Employees & Family Members?

UA Employee Recognition Committee and The National Arts Program®
May 8, 2015

The On Our Own Time Art Show is Open - May 4-16 - Student Union Gallery

Join us for the reception May 16, 11-1 p.m. - Certificates, ribbons and cash awards to be presented.

Last year spotlighted Andrew Nelson:

Taking hints from modern research in the field of artificial intelligence and evolutionary biology, Andrew Nelson describes the machines in his drawings as ‘creatures’ that have perhaps moved beyond their biological origins to become self-perpetuating life forms. Andrew believes that these machines explore the possible features that all humans potentially share with other living life forms. He chooses to focus on this aspect rather than the way in which these creatures are unhuman like.

While the main subject of his beautifully detailed pencil drawings would seem to be these unearthly, futuristic machines, Andrew says that the background landscapes are a main component of these pieces. Utilizing a large amount of nature photography, he does numerous studies of textures that are found in nature, everything from cactus skeletons to bits of coral, to create the complex worlds in which these ‘creatures’ reside. This aspect of the drawings only adds to the intricacy of each piece, which can take Andrew over a year to produce from start to finish.

After sharing some of the pieces from this series entitled ‘Living Machine’, Andrew received such positive feedback that he decided to take the chance and enter one of them in the Professional category of the NAP show at the University of Arizona. Andrew’s decision was validated when the judges awarded him First Place for his piece “Robot 25." "I was quite surprised to win and the ecstatic feeling is hard to describe," says Andrew.

In addition to entering his artwork, both of Andrew’s daughters participated in the exhibition after learning about the opportunity to enter the show from Andrew’s wife, who is a math instructor at the University. Andrew had nothing but extremely positive things to say about his experience participating in the NAP. "The NAP is very inclusive and encouraging. Artists at all levels were happy to have their artwork displayed in a professional venue and the event seemed to provide a real source of motivation to people involved.” 

http://www.nationalartsprogram.org/nap-spotlight/andrew-lincoln-nelson

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