Spring Break
Irish Artist Showcases Unique Works
Joe Budzelek
Issue date: 11/7/06 Section: Focus
When organizing art into categories we usually list the obvious methods: painting, sculpture, and drawings. One Irish artist named Caoimhghin O'Fraithile defies ordinary art methods and chooses to try his own unique approach to art.
Monday afternoon in the lobby of the Art Building, Caoimhghin O'Fraithile chronicled the last five years of his artworks that have been displayed all throughout the world. In front of a decent sized audience, O'Fraithile presented several slides of his artwork.
While O'Fraithile's artwork is difficult to describe because of its pure uniqueness, some students appreciated his originality.
"It was an interesting blend of the refined skills of the artist along with raw passion. It was truly insightful work into the mind of another," said Chuck Juliand, a 3rd-semester women's studies major.
Much of O'Fraithile's artwork is showcased in outdoor settings. During his presentation, O'Fraithile mentioned that he liked how nature played a role in his artwork's outcome.
O'Fraithile likes to use materials that are scarcely used in art, including bamboo, old rags and bed sheets. He especially likes to use old rags because when his pieces gets wet, he believes that it looks as if his art is crying, thus emitting the emotions he is trying to show in his artwork. Some students did not find the use of these materials aesthetically pleasing.
"I didn't really understand the use of materials and I thought most of the pieces were kind of ugly," said Caroline Larson, a 3rd-semester African-American studies and medieval studies double-major.
Another characteristic of O'Fraithile's art is that he likes to burn down his artwork after completion.
"I thought the fire added a nice touch to his artwork, almost like a new level of majesty. There was something with the fire that added much style and grace to his art," said Nick Jaensch, a 5th-semester business major.
Some of O'Fraithile's artwork reflected the depressing backdrop of the locations he visits. For instance, in Union Station in Utica, NY, O'Fraithile built a piece on the lobby floor of the train station. He used old rags hanging off the piece which was only about three feet in height. O'Fraithile explained that he liked the fact that people needed to bend over to see inside because he wanted people to feel as if they are trapped inside the artwork.
Following the lecture, O'Fraithile treated the Contemporary Art Gallery with an original, on-the-spot addition to the gallery. His artwork will be on display throughout the remainder of this semester.
Monday afternoon in the lobby of the Art Building, Caoimhghin O'Fraithile chronicled the last five years of his artworks that have been displayed all throughout the world. In front of a decent sized audience, O'Fraithile presented several slides of his artwork.
While O'Fraithile's artwork is difficult to describe because of its pure uniqueness, some students appreciated his originality.
"It was an interesting blend of the refined skills of the artist along with raw passion. It was truly insightful work into the mind of another," said Chuck Juliand, a 3rd-semester women's studies major.
Much of O'Fraithile's artwork is showcased in outdoor settings. During his presentation, O'Fraithile mentioned that he liked how nature played a role in his artwork's outcome.
O'Fraithile likes to use materials that are scarcely used in art, including bamboo, old rags and bed sheets. He especially likes to use old rags because when his pieces gets wet, he believes that it looks as if his art is crying, thus emitting the emotions he is trying to show in his artwork. Some students did not find the use of these materials aesthetically pleasing.
"I didn't really understand the use of materials and I thought most of the pieces were kind of ugly," said Caroline Larson, a 3rd-semester African-American studies and medieval studies double-major.
Another characteristic of O'Fraithile's art is that he likes to burn down his artwork after completion.
"I thought the fire added a nice touch to his artwork, almost like a new level of majesty. There was something with the fire that added much style and grace to his art," said Nick Jaensch, a 5th-semester business major.
Some of O'Fraithile's artwork reflected the depressing backdrop of the locations he visits. For instance, in Union Station in Utica, NY, O'Fraithile built a piece on the lobby floor of the train station. He used old rags hanging off the piece which was only about three feet in height. O'Fraithile explained that he liked the fact that people needed to bend over to see inside because he wanted people to feel as if they are trapped inside the artwork.
Following the lecture, O'Fraithile treated the Contemporary Art Gallery with an original, on-the-spot addition to the gallery. His artwork will be on display throughout the remainder of this semester.
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