RICHLAND – A free public exhibit opening Wednesday presents ink as art and offers a bold look at the individuality of students at Washington State University Tri-Cities.
The Tattoo Showcase features portraits of 32 students, with the spotlight on their tattoos. A total of 64 photos are on display – two images of each student.
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| Prince | Rust |
Photographer Brent Rust, a student leader at WSU Tri-Cities, uses compelling images, lighting and close-ups to capture the personality and meaning behind the ink while maintaining the focus on the tattoo as art.
The opening reception is at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, in the WSU Tri-Cities Art Center, inside the Consolidated Information Center, 2770 Crimson Way, Richland. The exhibit is co-sponsored by ASWSUTC Student Entertainment Board and is part of the Spring 2011 Liberal Arts Series of Events.
The Tattoo Showcase is on display through April 28. Hours are noon-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Student Tiffany Prince organized the show.
Rust spent four years in the Air Force with security police, then earned criminal justice and computer science/network administration degrees from Columbia Basin College. He is a senior at WSU Tri-Cities majoring in digital technology and culture, where he also serves as a senator in the Associated Students of WSU Tri-Cities. He is on track to graduate in December 2011.
Rust is working toward becoming a professional photographer by leveraging today’s culture of electronic communication with storytelling – not restricted to pictures or text, but extended to images, audio and video.
“Everyone has a story and I want to help tell it,” he said.
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| Gast | Davis |
He is working with Douglas Gast, assistant professor of fine arts, and Andréa Davis, professor of English, on a long-term project in multimedia storytelling and ethnographic research.
“The guidance and support of an artist like Doug Gast and the research, writing and rhetoric of Dr. Davis are invaluable resources to have in the Tri-Cities,” Rust said. “This has opened doors of opportunity I have only dreamed about.”
WSU Tri-Cities is located along the scenic Columbia River in Richland, Wash. Established in 1989 with upper division and graduate programs, WSU Tri-Cities expanded in 2007 to a four-year undergraduate campus offering 17 bachelor’s, 13 master’s and seven doctoral degrees. Learn more about the most diverse campus in the WSU system at www.tricity.wsu.edu