Only a third year undergraduate student at the University of Alberta, Stewart has appeared in past Student shows, from an honorable mention as a Victoria Composite student to last year's Student Design Association show where he performed as furniture (where his performance as object in fact reveals the purpose of why we create furniture and the functionality of objects), the current exhibition is his first solo show before an upcoming SDA group exhibition in November.
In a brief conversation, Stewart comes across more curious than precocious, intelligent than conceited, and his works carry a tone of an artist learning more about himself and his capacities. In one of his latest pieces in progress that is currently on exhibit, the bare bones white outline of a three dimensional shape takes shape against a heavily textured black and white background. Achieving this sculptural white outline by first constructing a shape with LED lights and then drawing its lines, Stewart still plans on sewing the outline onto the physical canvas to achieve yet another layer, and in so doing bringing back the element of an object into the piece.
Lucid in his approach to art making, where many art students and artists become bogged down by the histories of their predecessors in either mimicking or overcoming their achievements, Alexander James Stewart is offering something unique in just being himself.
All images are credited to: Alexander James Stewart, 2009
3 comments:
Ms. Fung, let us have words with each other. When you saw the art peice/pieces where they of a quality that you would encourage other people to see them? Did one facet of his multi talent seem stronger than another ie paint was painterly, curious as to your view.
Do you have any photos from the show.
Cheers
AJS seems to excel in the combination of different disciplines, rather than any single one.
Photos were supplied today.
Very interseting, I am in a similar situation where my color and application of the color have become as important as the forms that the color covers.
Are the art works still on display? and where? thanks
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