Show Statement  //  Professor Samantha Fields

Every spring, colleges and high schools hold the much-anticipated Annual Juried Student Show. At CSUN, where I teach, the day the list is posted of “who got in” is one of celebration for those who see their names, and disappointment for those who don’t. As a teacher, I usually end up talking with my students in an attempt to help them discern why their work did or didn’t get in, and of course, the only person who can ever fully answer that question is the juror. So here I am, the juror, finally able to answer that important question! First, remember this: I am one person, with my own set of criteria, interests and expertise. The next juror will be someone completely different. Whatever you do, win or lose, do not let the judgement of one juror determine your self-worth as an artist. I sincerely hope that all of you continue to hone your skills and enter again next year.

That said, let me tell you how I made my choices. First: I applaud everyone who entered. We are in a very perilous moment in this nation, a pandemic is raging, an election is being challenged, and many of us are living our lives via Zoom. Some of you might be making work on campus, and others might be making work in an improvised home studio. I will bet that many of you are also working a job while in school, so your exposure to the virus is elevated. These are not ideal conditions and everything we are doing is harder than it was before. Entering a show, especially now, is an act of hope and optimism, and I was thrilled to see so many submissions. I looked at everything many times over as I made my final choices for the exhibition. I was able to do so thanks to Professor McManus, who went to great lengths to make this show happen. His commitment to you is evident in the care and diligence that he brought to this exhibition. He made an exhaustive database for me, so I had easy access to your images by title only, ensuring that the judging process remained completely objective as all students remained anonymous. As I juried, I looked for good craftsmanship and presentation, mastery of materials, and a demonstrated understanding of design principles and composition. I also looked for two things that are very important for an artist: ambition and where applicable, a recognition in the work of the moment we are all currently living through.

The foundations piece Feminine won Best in Show Overall. This piece had a level of ambition and craftsmanship that allowed me to see the dress before I saw what it was made from. It also raised questions for me: Is it saying that women are treated as disposable objects, sheathed in trash bags? Is it a commentary on “disposable fashion”? Is it a sly reference to the costumes in “The Handmaids Tale”? Does the white garment render this figure a ghost? The layered and nuanced meaning in this work set it apart to earn the top prize. This piece made me think, and wonder, as good art should.

The Best in Show Overall Runner Up went to the painting titled, Pomegranates. This piece displayed a deft handling of paint and brushstrokes making the traditional subject matter of fruit come alive on the canvas.