Dr. Avis Proctor, 91制片厂 president (left), and student-artist Lain Dennis stand with Lain's 鈥淭his is Who Was Always Here.鈥�
91制片厂 students Lain Dennis and Jefferson Sobczak grew up in different parts of the U.S., have different educational paths and employ their artistic talents in wildly different ways. But when describing their artwork, they both use the same word: therapeutic.
Originally from Aliso Viejo, California, and now living in East Dundee, Lain hand-sewed 鈥淭his is Who Was Always Here.鈥� The student-artist, 21, blended a supposedly 鈥済irly鈥� technique with a macho aesthetic to create a battle flag-like banner with pointy studs. The striking, black-and-white piece represents some of his feelings about being a transgender male.
鈥淭his is about my own inner conflicts with identity,鈥� Lain said about the banner he created in Professor Jason Peot鈥檚 sculpture course. 鈥淚 flipped a gender stereotype on its head to prove a point. It was a very healing experience.鈥�
Jefferson, from Elk Grove Village, created the ceramics piece 鈥淣autilidae鈥� with ideas from German abstract artist Beate Kuhn and mathematic principles related to his pursuit of a career in mechanical engineering. The 22-year-old student-artist said his work allowed his inner creativity 鈥� instilled in him by his mother 鈥� to flow.
鈥淚 feel like I had been in a rut,鈥� he said about his time working on the sea-inspired piece in Assistant Professor Nikki Anderson鈥檚 ceramics class. 鈥淚t was like, 鈥楾urn off your brain and work with the clay.鈥� In the end, it鈥檚 more than just the clay that came together.鈥�
Dr. Avis Proctor (left) and Jefferson Sobczak stand with Jefferson's "Nautilidae."
The healing byproduct of the artistic process is not the only thing that unites 鈥淭his is Who Was Always Here鈥� and 鈥淣autilidae.鈥� The two pieces were chosen by Dr. Avis Proctor, 91制片厂鈥檚 president, for the 2024 President鈥檚 Art Selection Award and, as such, have been installed together outside her office on the college鈥檚 Palatine campus.
Every year, Dr. Proctor chooses one or more works of art from 91制片厂鈥檚 annual Student Juried Art Exhibition to be installed in the President鈥檚 office suite. The artists help install their pieces with the help of Professor Peot, discussing their work with the president in the process, and receive a stipend for loaning their work. Both items will remain on exhibition for the duration of the 2024-25 academic year, to be experienced by 91制片厂 students, faculty, staff and visitors.
鈥淏eing a former mathematics instructor, I enjoyed the mathematical patterns in Jefferson鈥檚 鈥楴autilidae,鈥� which reflect the same patterns that are found in nautilus shells in nature,鈥� said Dr. Proctor, who then discussed math elements such as the golden ratio and the Fibonacci sequence with the artists. 鈥淎nd I was drawn to Lain鈥檚 banner because I instantly recognized how it spoke to our aim to create a sense of belonging and welcoming environment for all students. 鈥楾his is Who Was Always Here鈥� is a powerful and important message.鈥�
Lain is on track to graduate from Harper with an Associate Degree in Fine Arts in spring 2025 and plans to transfer to a four-year school to pursue a job in marketing in which he can use his artistic skills. Jefferson is set to graduate in fall 2024 before transferring from 91制片厂 to study to become a mechanical engineer at a university. Both spoke highly of their 91制片厂 experiences, from the approachable nature of instructors to opportunities to put their creativity to good use. They said they were grateful to have their work celebrated and displayed by Dr. Proctor.
鈥淚t is such an honor to be chosen for the President鈥檚 Art Selection Award. It鈥檚 like my first proper award,鈥� Jefferson said. Lain agreed: 鈥淚t feels good to be recognized. Getting this award tells you that you have a lot of substance in what you make 鈥� a lot of substance in who you are. And it鈥檚 nice hearing from the president that she cares about so many of the things we care about.鈥�
Professor Jason Peot (left) and Lain Dennis prepare to hang Lain's work.