Following in the Freshman Connections series, the Department of Art and the College of Fine Arts have collaborated in bringing the works of artist Michael Naranjo to the art gallery in the Art and Journalism Building.
The show opens today with the display of five bronze sculptures and a documentary produced by PBS with the biography of Naranjo. There will be an opening reception Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. which will include light refreshments. The exhibition will remain open until Feb. 10.
Nicole Cardassilaris, Atrium Gallery Associate and Visual Resource Manager, said it was a faculty member in the Department of Art who suggested having Naranjo's sculptures displayed.
"This is a collaborative work, where Freshman Connections put out an e-mail through the Department of Art and asked for suggestions of artists that had a disability, and Mary Ann [Rahe] was persistent with promoting Naranjo, so we have Mary Ann to thank for that," she said.
One of the highlights about this exhibition is that the public is encouraged to not only see the sculptures, but to touch them as well.
"It was part of the condition to have his art up. To let people touch his sculptures," she said.
Michael Naranjo was permanently blinded at the age of 22 in Vietnam by a grenade explosion. Raised in northern New Mexico, he planned a career as an artist before his Army tour. Despite the loss of his sight and damage to his right hand, he continued to work on his plans to become an artist.
Naranjo will be on campus Feb. 8 to address students at Pruis Hall and then to talk at an artist reception in the Art Gallery. Both events are open to the public.
"It'll be great if students come to the gallery to get a better idea of the [story of Naranjo]," Rahe said. "The video will provide more information, so there's an opportunity to learn information on him."
Naranjo will also hold a workshop with art students the next day.
Cardassilaris said Naranjo's work provides something different from other sculptures, and students are encouraged to see them in the gallery.
"I think it's remarkable how he does not rely on his memories, but rather, he draws on artistic vision," Cardassilaris said. "I also like the fact that people can touch the sculptures. I think it closes the gap between the vision of the artist and the physical creation."
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