Conceptual art display

    There have been many student artworks displayed throughout the year, but none like this have been presented yet.  This display includes many conceptual art prints by one student artist, junior Rene Medrano.  Conceptual art is a form of art that has a symbolic meaning, and is mainly understood through the written explanations presented with the artwork.  Some famous conceptual artists include Joseph Kosuth and Sol LeWitt.
 
     The artworks to be displayed in the Art Gallery, or the Copy Room, are prints made by Medrano. The display will go up next week.
 
    “I am creating a fourteen-piece collection of linoleum prints,” said Medrano. “They are printed on paintings I created as backgrounds.”
Medrano has been interested in painting since he was three years old. “I painted on canvas for the first time in school,” said Medrano, “I have been painting ever since.”
 
    His inspirations come from many events involving the world, his life, nature, and other artists.  “Everything I see has the potential to be art,” said Medrano, “whether it is through writing or visual art.  I can see the beauty of things through art and use it.”
   
    The fourteen prints are each symbols of different events such as communism, domestic violence, animal abuse, child labor, and monotony.  “It is called False Attraction,” said Medrano. “It has different chapters, it’s all about things in life that pull you in yet are really bad for you,” said Medrano.
   
    Medrano’s display has all the same prints but different backgrounds to relate to what he tries to represent. “[The print] Monotony is important, because it shows how society, especially ours could be repetitive.”
Medrano has taken only two art classes in high school yet he presents very exceptional work.
    
    “In the beginning of the year I noticed that he was a little advanced and seeing his conceptual, I let him branch off and do his own project,” said Catherine Stark, Medrano’s Art teacher.  Stark appreciates his mixed media artwork and his talent.  “The works he is going to display were not hard for him but the concept is more in depth,” said Stark.
   
    So far, Medrano has entered only one competition, the Scholastics, but he did not receive any awards.  
“Art is expression to me,” said Medrano. “Through art I am able to translate emotions or thoughts into colors and shapes that make my feelings intriguing and beautiful.”
   
    Medrano begins doing his projects with inspiration that can later be transferred into a well-developed artwork.  “I don’t create art traditionally,” Medrano said, “The art usually molds and shapes as I go.”
   
    Although most of his work involves drawing, Medrano tries to make his artworks more imaginative than real images. “ I draw what I see, but through conceptual means,” said Medrano.  
   
    Medrano hopes to pursue art in college, and believes that art will always be part of his life.  “I am not sure in what way, I have been thinking of utilizing my art for a media-advertising career, possibly,” said Medrano.

    Stark believes that Medrano can be successful in pursuing arts as a career.  “He definitely has the potential,” said Stark. “He is planning to take IB Arts next year. If he goes to college with arts he is definitely going to be successful.”

    Medrano draws whatever he imagines. Time and place are not constraints for Medrano, “Everyday, I am inspired at school, home wherever,” said Medrano, explaining where he finds his inspiration. “I would probably say to be more original, and instead of drawing real life, be more imaginative, because that speaks volumes,” said Medrano to all artists interested in conceptual art.