The University of Minnesota’s fall exhibit showcases student and local artists’ perspectives on what it means to be human in an increasingly isolated world
By: Kinsey Gade
The Larson Art Gallery, located on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota, showcases local and student pieces in its most recent exhibit, “The Human Condition.”
The exhibit, which initially opened Aug. 21, highlights what it means to be human through multimedia pieces. The gallery reception will be held on Thurs., Sept. 25 from 6-8 p.m., with live music, writing activities, blackout poetry, food and drink.
Abigail May, the building art senior student lead and Larson gallery manager, said the meaning of humanity is something that humans have been grappling with for a long time and remains relevant today.
“There are a lot of works that talk about issues like depression, about socioeconomic status and sexual orientation,” she said.
Michael Weatherly, a local artist specializing in printmaking from Elbow Lake, Minn., contributed to the exhibit with his piece, “Grief III,” after it was selected by the university’s Student Union and Activities Committee. Weatherly said he originally made the piece in 2018, trying to capture human emotions like fear, worry and grief.
“This was kind of an attempt to really just connect with the human condition and the viewer,” Weatherly said. “I was trying to spark an emotion or a connection, maybe how [the viewer] felt at a certain time, or knew of someone who was feeling like that at a certain time, just really about making a connection with the artist.”
Souradipto Ghosh Dastidar, a fifth-year PhD student studying biostatistics, submitted two pieces of art for the exhibit, “Decolonization 1” and “Decolonization 2,” which were both selected. This is Ghosh Dastidar’s first exhibition.
Ghosh Dastidar found his artistic niche by combining hyperrealism, usually portraying aristocratic Europeans, with realism and expressionism of the working class. The use of gold in the background of his pieces signifies royalty while portraying ordinary people.
Ghosh Dastidar said he wants to help change the narrative of art, historically established by the privileged.
Caption: “Decolonization 1” and “Decolonization 2” by Souradipto Ghosh Dastidar. Photo by Kinsey Gade.
“It’s enough that we glorify the privileged; it’s time that we celebrate small things and small troubles and acknowledge that,” he said. “I want people to think deeply about what they should respect and what they should not, how they should look at the world, celebrate the small joys, especially in this world of AI.”
Tricia Schweitzer, the St. Paul Student Center art and galleries manager, said she hopes students, especially new students, will find comfort or clarity in the exhibit.
“They’re coming here and don’t know anybody,” Schweitzer said. “It’s the beginning of the semester, and there is so much going on right now for them. I think this can be relatable, relevant and even comforting for them.”
The exhibit runs until Dec. 12. A virtual gallery is available on the university’s student unions and activities website for those unable to visit the exhibit in person.
Top photo caption: “Alleviation” by Kevin Zaid Martinez greets in-person visitors to the Larson Art Gallery’s fall exhibition, “The Human Condition.” Photo by Kinsey Gade
