Art Event #1 SMP Art

I decided to take a look at the art projects that students have prepared for their SMP projects.  The gallery was set up inside of Montgomery Hall, and displayed the work of many senior art students.  I must admit that I have never really been to an art gallery, but from what I can tell, the gallery was very well set up.  I didn't go to the opening show of the gallery, instead just walked through on my own and analyzed a couple pieces I was intrigued by. 
The first piece that I analyzed was by a student named Allyson Moore, titled, "Vintage Values."  When I first saw the work I thought that it looked very basic, just a cardboard cutout with glitter.  But once I stood in front of it I began to become very interested in the way that simple design was able to have a major meaning.  The small amounts of cutouts and glitter did a fantastic job of showing emotion in the face.  I would normally feel that the kind of detail I could see in the piece would require a detailed form of art, but the placement of the cutouts that surrounded the face integrated the feelings that the person in the piece must have felt.  I was able to look at the piece and feel major emotion in the piece.  I found it interesting that my mindset regarding the complexity of the piece was able to change so quickly from first glance. The artist did an astounding job of showing emotion without an intricate amount of detail.
The next piece that I looked at was by Allie Snyder, an oil on panel piece called, "The Missing Child."  I think that one of the most important parts of Allie Snyder's work was the wood panel that the art was arranged on.  She took out a child in each piece, and illustrated the emotion of the "empty" child through the emotions of the people that surround the "empty" child.  Also, she did a good job incorporating the emotion through the scenery.  Her piece on the far left, where the children are looking over the edge of what looks like a bridge or a small building.  You obviously cannot tell the emotion of the missing child, but the other child and the scenery set the mood.  You can see the theme of the piece without an integral part, one of the people.