Written by Dr. Marcela Moyano
UIC students enrolled in the Summer 2022 ART 101: Drawing Course with Prof. Elizabeth Abaya unveiled their art exhibition ‘Phases” at the J. Alberto Moyano Art Gallery at United International College on Thursday, June 30, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.
Students were proud of having been able to complete their self-portraits and other works to be exhibited in the gallery. Prof. Abaya led the students to reconnect with their natural art instincts in just eight summer weeks “These artists were, in many ways, burdened by self-doubt as they put their left-brain adult mentality aside, and embraced the right-brain creative mentality that allows us all to draw masterpieces as children.” added Prof. Abaya.
Communications and Mass Media student, Carolina Portilla, under the direction of Prof. Ken Ninomiya produced a live radio show at the UIC radio studio to meet the artists, learn about their art and Prof. Abaya.
Popular Romanian singer Alin Turculescu is one of the UIC student artists who exhibited his artwork, Leaves and Self-Portrait and the first one to be interviewed for the show. He shared with the audience that he enjoyed his experience in the Drawing course. “I’ve noticed that drawing really helps you in order to relax, you can focus on your drawing and forget about everything else,” says Turculescu.
Martha Rodriguez is a Venezuelan student who exhibited her work. She has a background in Graphic Design and now she is completing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications and Mass Media. She exhibited two works, Buzz Lightyear Observation and Self-Portrait. She explains how her Self portrait is an expression of the pandemic time. The artwork resulted from a self portrait photograph taken during quarantine and her facial expression and big eyes represent the suffering of such time. She also enjoys drawing cartoons and learned how to draw shades and used Buzz Lightyear to apply this technique. “I was impressed because I was able to transmit the emotion of this work to the audience…My experience at UIC has been a big upgrade in my career. With the holistic education approach, I have been able to be a better human being” adds Rodriguez.
Prof. Abaya brings up how shame and low self-esteem are a limitation for self expression and drawing. The exhibition was entitled “Phases” because students overcame different phases to trick their left brain and rediscover their right brain. Prof. Abaya remarked her intention to remind the students how it was when they were children “to grab a crayon and make some art.”
Former Brazilian surgeon dentist, Business Administration UIC student, Luciano Rocha, told how Prof. Abaya taught him a technique to draw the self-portrait. He spent a long time alone at home drawing the self-portrait based on a self portrait photograph. When he completed his work and was looking for a title for it, he chose “Luciano Da Vinci.” Drawing was challenging for him and coming up with “Luciano Da Vinci” was impressive. “At the beginning of the class, I thought I was going to fail the class, and then, I realized I could make it, and I did it,” says Rocha. Prof. Abaya added that his Luciano Da Vinci looks like an Avatar. Rocha concluded that “he has so much fun in UIC and that the school is his real family.”
Orlando Landinez drew his self-portrait with chalk. He says that it was challenging but not impossible. The lesson that Prof. Abaya told the students that everything could be possible. Landinez is open to learning new techniques and he enjoys art. Landinez studied ESL, the A.S. in Communications and Mass Media and is currently completing his B.S. in Communications and Mass Media.
Maria Pineda is originally from Venezuela and is currently studying Business Administration at UIC. She picked her self portrait picture from one of her instagram pictures. She explains how after Prof. Abaya demonstrated the process to draw the self-portrait, it was easy to make it. Her mother used to draw in the past. Pineda tells how throughout the eight weeks she became confident and started ignoring her left brain.
To watch the full interviews, visit United International College YouTube Channel.
