“Senioritis,” Marlborough’s annual art show featuring select work by visual artists in the Class of 2020, opened with a lunchtime reception on Friday, Oct. 18 and closed on Friday, Nov. 8.
17 seniors displayed their work, using a variety of mediums ranging from film and photography to mixed media, drawing, painting and architectural models. Visual Arts Department Head Chelsea Dean, curator of the show, discussed the variety of pieces featured in this year’s show.
“It was a really interesting show in the sense of the diversity of mediums. Even within traditional mediums, there was a lot of playful use of the materials,” Dean said of the works featured in this year’s display.
Dean was particularly excited to see seniors pushing the medium of photography in unique ways.
Lily Langos ‘20, for example, displayed a series of photographs highlighting the gender roles that dominate society. Langos said she hoped to challenge existing stereotypes by photographing men and boys with traditionally feminine objects.
“I was raised in an environment where emotion was important, and I knew that I could play with the toys I wanted and dress how I wanted,” Langos said. “This was not the case for some of the boys that were raised around me. Growing up, boys were shamed for expressing the same emotions that I was comforted for.”
Sophie Abrahamson ‘20, who featured architecture in the show, expressed pride in her usage of unconventional mediums like a gourd.
“Its asymmetrical nature, curved form and uncommon walls required an imaginative approach to creating a functional structure,” she said. “I enjoyed taking inspiration from even the most challenging aspects of the gourd.”
Dean emphasized the success of this year’s show, adding that the opening reception was the most highly attended “Senioritis” reception she has seen in her time at Marlborough.
“As the department head, I think it is really important that students receive the recognition and visibility that they deserve, and it felt good to see all members of our community celebrating our artists,” Dean said. “It feels like a very full-circle experience to see students operating and performing at such a high level in this very sophisticated and refined exhibition.”
