By Ela Jalil

The Stamp Student Union Gallery welcomed a new exhibit called “Placeholder,” showcasing work from four artists whose work focused on what is beneath the surface and dives into concepts of gender and race. 

The gallery website describes the artists using materials and images “to invoke what is absent, elsewhere, postponed, or in hiding.” The exhibit opened on Oct. 10, and runs until Dec. 9. There was a reception and talk on Thursday that gave the artists a platform to discuss their work. 

There are two exhibits for the fall and spring semesters, and they include reception ceremonies. These events give the artists an opportunity to talk directly with audiences, and show off their work to their family and friends. Art history PhD student Maura Callahan is the graduate assistant for the gallery, and thought that the opening was very successful. 

“The opening was a delight. It’s always rewarding to have all of the participating artists come together to see their work installed in the gallery and to discuss their ideas as a group in front of an audience,” Callahan said. “Through our conversation I learned things I didn’t previously know about their practices, even after having worked with them on this exhibition.”

James William II, a Baltimore based artist, approached Callahan for the curation of this exhibit and expressed interest in working with Elliot Doughtie, who the gallery worked with last year for their UNFOLD exhibit. Doughtie is a Baltimore based artist that works primarily with structures. 

One artist that was highlighted was Richard Hart, a South-African interdisciplinary artist whose primary medium is “water drawing.” When visitors enter the gallery they are greeted with a large rock laying on the ground with a tv depicting water markings fading and being drawn on. 

“It’s the ephemeral nature of life, or just like a drop of water that goes to the little water cycle. It’s a little, I wouldn’t say bleak, but it is very much like life is temporal,” senior neuroscience and English double major Reshma Jasmin said. 

Jasmin has worked at the gallery since last year, and enjoys how it is specifically curated towards students and themes that affect their everyday lives. The gallery gives students an opportunity to interact with art and conceptualize important ideas. 

“I love getting to see people come in here and enjoy the art, and I enjoy answering questions when I can,” sophomore art history and classics double major Rachel Schmid-Janes said. 

Featured Image: Danni O’Brien is one of the featured artists at the “Placeholder” exhibit, with her work focusing on the hidden complexities of gender. Photo by Ela Jalil on October 21.