It’s a Small World: An Exhibition of Miniatures showcases KPU students’ artwork

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It’s a Small World: An Exhibition of Miniatures, which showcases work by members of the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Arts Collective, is on display at the Arts Council of Surrey’s Newton Cultural Centre until July 30. 

Students and alumni from KPU’s fine arts program could submit any of their work, from paintings and drawings to sculptures and textiles, completed in different styles and techniques with a requirement to be miniature in size, says Kacey Hughes, a participant in the exhibit. 

Hughes’ work at the gallery is a series of small ink drawings on handmade paper that explore synesthesia, a concept involving mixing different sensory experiences, Hughes says.

“I did a series of 56 of these drawings …. They were sort of abstract visual representations of sounds and feelings. I selected four of them for the exhibition,” she says. 

It took Hughes a few weeks to complete the whole series, which was done using Indian ink and brushes. She says she learned how to make handmade paper in one of the workshops hosted by the KPU Arts Collective several years ago. 

“It’s always great to have an exhibition opportunity. I’m proud to have my work on display, but I’m more excited to be exhibiting alongside all of these people,” Hughes says, adding she thinks it is great to represent KPU in the broader community.

“As fine arts students, we do a lot of exhibiting, usually on campus or in our classes, and sharing our work in that context. But I think it’s great to showcase some of our student work out in the community as well.”

Param Arora, a student artist who has studied Asian miniatures in the past, has a miniature mosaic on a wooden panel painted with gouache paint, which stretches 37.5 inches in length and is 2.5 inches in height, displayed at the exhibit.

“I took inspiration from the historical miniatures that were created. It is something that I have learned … and I have seen that nobody takes it as seriously,” Arora says, adding the focus of her work was women. 

“It’s how women play an important role in everyday situations. In my work, women are doing a lot of things, they are playing instruments, creating something, [and] engaging with the environment around them.”

Arora says she did her painting in the “traditional” way to demonstrate how traditional art holds its own place among all contemporary works, adding she was eager to collaborate with a group where everybody contributed something different to the exhibit. 

Hughes, who is also the president of the KPU Arts Collective, says the club helps students to gain skills in arranging exhibits and all the associated steps required, including what it is like to exhibit in a public gallery, work with other artists, and install their works among other steps. 

“There’s sort of a saying that exhibitions get exhibitions. Sometimes it’s very hard to take that first step into showcasing your work, but once you’ve started, that’s how you can continue with that experience,” she says. 

“Folks are more than welcome to join. It’s a really lovely, welcoming community of student artists.” 

To learn more about the exhibit, visit bitly.cx/t2AP.