Kofi Opoku and Morgan Gesell Milders, students in the West Virginia University School of Art & Design who will graduate with a master of fine arts degree this spring, will present an exhibition of their work at the Creative Arts Center on March 4-8.
There will be an opening reception at 6 p.m. on March 7 at the gallery. All the events are free and open to the public.
Kofi Opoku’s exhibition titled “Hidden in Plain Sight” will be on view in the Laura Mesaros Gallery.
“My research has led me to explore the often overlooked topic of homelessness.
Most people who are homeless are reduced to mere statistics and their actual situations and stories remain hidden from the public eye. ‘Hidden in Plain Sight’ is an exhibition that seeks to present the issue of homelessness through an educational, engaging and inspiring experience,” he said. “The show is a multifaceted, multimedia experience that connects the heart of the audience to the heart of the issue.”
Opoku is a graphic designer raised in Ghana, West Africa. He received his bachelor of fine arts degree from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Prior to enrolling at WVU, Kofi worked as an art director at Origin8 Saatchi, the Ghana affiliate of the global advertising firm Saatchi and Saatchi.
“Over the past few years, I have been interested the use of design to inspire an audience into taking positive actions that benefit the common good,” he said. “I believe that the best way to get people invested in an idea is when they can become active participants both during and after the point of communication.”
See Opoku’s website at: http://kofiopoku.com/
Sculptor Morgan Milders’s thesis exhibition titled “I Know, Right?” will be on view in the Paul Mesaros Gallery. Her sculptural work is a humorous take on icons of our culture using unexpected juxtapositions of otherwise disparate cultural references.
“The work in this exhibition draws inspiration from craft techniques, everyday kitsch objects and popular culture outlets such as movies, television shows, music and fashion,” she said. “The work explores relatable cultural experiences through a domestic filter. The title of the exhibit is a common colloquial phrase used in affirmation of a statement.”
Milders said she hopes to tap into the cultural memory of the viewers and perhaps elicit that exact response: “I Know, Right?”
Milders received her bachelor’s degree from Flagler College in St. Augustine, Fla. Her work can also be seen online at http://morgangesell.blogspot.com.
The School of Art & Design presents a master of fine arts exhibition annually in the Mesaros Galleries. The body of work presented by each candidate represents the highest level of achievement by the students as they receive their master of fine arts degree.
The gallery hours are Monday through Saturday from noon to 9:30 p.m.
For more information on the event, contact Robert Bridges, curator of the Mesaros Galleries at 304-293-2312.
-WVU-
CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, College of Creative Arts
304-293-4359, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu
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