Make Your Mark: The Culture of Drawing

An artistic exchange between the fine arts faculty of Capital Normal University in Beijing, China, and the fine arts, design, and art education faculty at Buffalo State has culminated in the exhibit Make Your Mark: The Culture of Drawing, which runs through Friday, May 4, in Upton Hall's Czurles-Nelson Gallery.

The Capital Normal faculty pieces include an impressive collection of realistic Western-style drawings, abstract paintings, and muted watercolors in the more traditional Chinese style. Some are haunting, others whimsical. In the center of gallery, viewers can see artwork created by Capital Normal students that reflect the theme “Transformation.” The pieces capture the cultural transformation that has engulfed the country over the past decade.

“You are looking at a culture in a frantic state of transformation,” said Philip Ogle, professor and chair of the Fine Arts Department.

Buffalo State students followed the same theme to create art that was displayed at Capital Normal University last summer. Their “transformation” paintings and drawing are now on exhibit in Upton Hall's Margaret E. Bacon Gallery.

“This student art exchange is what gave rise to the whole idea of the faculty exchange,” Ogle explained.

Twenty-one pieces created by Buffalo State faculty will be exhibited at Capital Normal University for two weeks beginning May 10. Ogle is leaving on Sunday with the artwork, and he will put the exhibit together at the university.

A reception for the faculty artists will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 3, in the Czurles-Nelson Gallery. The reception is free and open to the public.