Stories with ‘Structure’

Photography by: America Salazar

Editor’s Note: First, I would like to congratulate Sean Hughes on his exhibit. Before attending “Structure”, I had not thought about what buildings have lived through and the stories they could have. People are like this, too. They could have interesting stories and interpretations of life. We walk by so many people every day and do not think about what they might have to say. I find this thought fascinating. I will keep that in my mind for a long time.

“Structure” was an exhibition at the Rusteberg Art Gallery in Texas Southmost College at Brownsville. UTRGV studio art junior Sean Hughes hosted the display.

“Structure” is about looking at buildings that people might not pay attention to because they are busy and have other priorities on their minds. These buildings might be old, no longer in use or boarded up. Imagine what those buildings would say if they could speak to us.

“I’m using that as a surrogate for people,” Hughes said. “ We walk past [them] every day, and we ignore [them] because we are so busy in our lives, going from point A to point B. … Think about how much of your day is spent thinking about what you’re going to do or … what you have done. … We are actually not living our life.”

Hughes said he believes that art should be open to interpretation and should make you think. He enjoys that people can relate to his art in different ways, even if it is different from his intended message. 

He said people are allowed to think that anyone, even a baby, could have done what he did for “Structure.” He is glad some think that because he wants to convey that– with determination and simple materials at your home– you can express yourself and create art.

Jesmil Maldonado, UTRGV Gallery Director for the School of Art and Design, said “Structure” brings her nostalgia. 

“It gave me a strong sense of nostalgia because it made me wonder, ‘What are the stories behind these places?’,” Maldonado said. “I think about abandoned places from where I am from, which is Puerto Rico. Every time I go to Puerto Rico, I see buildings or stuff that I used to go to and now I see them abandoned.”

Maldonado said Hughes creates works that engage with the public and encourages them to think. She scheduled his display because there was a gap to be covered in the Rusteberg Art Gallery and saw this as an opportunity to involve undergraduate students.

Hughes used drip painting techniques and smears, as well as cyanotypes, an alternative photography process, for his exhibit. He said the spontaneity of using those processes, which may not be considered fine art, is the point he wants to convey: to live in the moment.

“I was physically in that moment doing those pieces,” Hughes said. “That’s what I want to convey to people. … Be in the present and see [yourselves] in the image or part of the image. See that idea of being present.”

He believes that someone’s artistic nature should not be ignored. He understands the power of art: expressing your inner thoughts and beliefs. Art is therapeutic.

“I can’t imagine a day or a week or an hour that goes by that I’m not either thinking of making something or [actually] making something,” Hughes said. “I never have to say it, but it’s there.”

Hughes earned an Engaged Scholar & Artist Award that sponsored his work. He said ESAA encouraged him and guided him through his research. The grant allows undergraduates to mimic what graduates and postgraduates do for their grants.

“What’s great about ESAA is they didn’t give up [on me],” Hughes said. “They were invested in me, and they believed in me.”

Carl Vestweber, UTRGV lecturer and Hughes’ official mentor, said Hughes was chosen because he knew exactly what he wanted to do. He said that Hughes is someone who enjoys asking questions and is passionate about art, whether it is his own, his influences or other fellow student’s art.

“It’s been a blast to be your mentor,” Vestweber said to Hughes. “Thank you for asking me. It’s made me a better teacher. I can’t wait to see what [you] make in the next two years.”

UTRGV Assistant Professor Romeo DiLoreto and Visual Artist Alexander Comminos served as unofficial mentors to Hughes.

Hughes said he appreciates the opportunity to showcase his work. He hopes for fellow art students to become inspired and to try new things.

“I hope that my fellow art students are able to see the show and open their eyes to things that they can do that maybe they thought they couldn’t [do] before,” Hughes said. “[Whether] using art techniques or art ideas … I hope it raises the bar of the quality of the art coming out of the program. I hope it serves as an inspiration.”