2008 Woodie Awards
Artist keeps up with issues, uses politics
Myung Jin Lee
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: The Inside
Even though the hectic end-of-the-semester race continues, a large group of students gathered in Shillman Hall to listen to Billie Grace Lynn, a well-known artist who transforms toys into art. Her lecture was the last in the visiting artist series of the art + design department this academic year.
"It will be interesting to have her talk to our students because it is always of great value to have an outside voice come into the school," said Sophia Ainslie, a co-planner of the event and lecturer in the art + design department, before the lecture. "[Lynn] stressed that it is important to keep up with the issues and create dialogue with the world outside of campus."
Lynn is a practicing artist exhibiting her work nationally and internationally. She is also an associate professor in the sculpture department at the University of Miami. She is known as a "kinetic sculpture artist."
Her works are usually made from non-traditional materials, like stuffed animals, robots or inflatable sculptures.
"We invited Lynn to show them how to push the boundaries, to explore beyond the given or obvious, to be bold in your actions and voice," Ainslie said.
Students seemed to enjoy having the opportunity to have a famous artist lecture on campus.
"I want to see what other people see [about art]. It was good to see what she did," said Beth Edelblute, a freshman biology major and one of the attendees.
Kristin Zawadzlu, a senior graphic design major, said she appreciated the art department presenting artists' lectures once a month.
"However, I also expect [to hear more about] her standpoint of creativity. Her work is more creative than others' work," Zawadzlu said.
Lynn said her creativity is inspired from international news broadcast on TV, radio, magazines and newspapers. She said she believes that following the news closely is an important part of life.
"I try to formulate the world events based on as many sources as possible," Lynn said.
"It will be interesting to have her talk to our students because it is always of great value to have an outside voice come into the school," said Sophia Ainslie, a co-planner of the event and lecturer in the art + design department, before the lecture. "[Lynn] stressed that it is important to keep up with the issues and create dialogue with the world outside of campus."
Lynn is a practicing artist exhibiting her work nationally and internationally. She is also an associate professor in the sculpture department at the University of Miami. She is known as a "kinetic sculpture artist."
Her works are usually made from non-traditional materials, like stuffed animals, robots or inflatable sculptures.
"We invited Lynn to show them how to push the boundaries, to explore beyond the given or obvious, to be bold in your actions and voice," Ainslie said.
Students seemed to enjoy having the opportunity to have a famous artist lecture on campus.
"I want to see what other people see [about art]. It was good to see what she did," said Beth Edelblute, a freshman biology major and one of the attendees.
Kristin Zawadzlu, a senior graphic design major, said she appreciated the art department presenting artists' lectures once a month.
"However, I also expect [to hear more about] her standpoint of creativity. Her work is more creative than others' work," Zawadzlu said.
Lynn said her creativity is inspired from international news broadcast on TV, radio, magazines and newspapers. She said she believes that following the news closely is an important part of life.
"I try to formulate the world events based on as many sources as possible," Lynn said.
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