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• Cultural exhibit demonstrates the artistic process

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Part of the collection of art being presented at the Asian American Cultural Center. Photo by Brad Thorp

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Asian American Cultural Center »
Address: 1210 West Nevada Street Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (217) 333-9300
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The Asian American Cultural Center (AACC) is displaying a selection of drawings that demonstrates the connection between the arts of the East and the West. The exhibit features art from students from the Yunnan Art Institute of China, UIUC and Parkland College.

The drawings fall into three categories. Section one shows the drawer’s training process, while section two highlights the inner workings of the creation techniques. Section three showcases pieces for the interpretation and the appreciation of drawing as an art form.

If nothing else, venture upstairs to see section three. You will wish you could snag these pieces to bring back home to add some culture to your walls. The selection features more sophisticated pieces, along with the added bonuses of having what is greatly lacking downstairs — depth of thought and color. Section three displays drawings that are more advanced and more fully developed, giving you a lot more to chew on as a viewer. Whatever you do, do not miss Twila Farmer’s “Evolution of the Waistline,” a cluster of small drawings dedicated to, well, men’s pants. It is playful, skillful and utterly original.

Section one takes viewers along to the studio, on a journey through more amateur pieces that show the potential in the drawings of beginning artists. One piece by a Parkland student entitled “Chicago Landmarks” looks like a photography display at first glance. But look closer and you see the meticulous ink lines on each building, the artist’s attention to detail and care for the project.

Section two is in a word provocative, giving you a look into the mind of the artist throughout his or her creative process. Some of these drawings are a bit strange, but keep in mind that these intend to portray the artist’s approach and inspiration, not to end up framed on your wall.

You could probably spend the bulk of your time at the exhibit in section three, but to get the full effect of the artist’s development, take a peek at the first two sections as well.

If you are looking for some artistic inspiration between or after classes, be sure to stop by the AACC for viewing of the collection Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., for the rest of the month.