Chloe Tokar | Banner Kirsten Kamstra, Riverside local, exhibits her artwork Nov. 5 at the Riverside Arts Walk Vendor Lot showcase. The event takes place on the first Thursday of each month and features a venue for new local artists to show off their work. Kamstra’s psychadelic pieces offer a look into the world of postmodern art, utilizing many mediums of art, including pottery, paintings and display for her pieces.
In the fine arts world, street art and other trends once thought to be specialized are now widely accepted within museums and local arts culture.
American painter Jackson Pollock revolutionized the abstract expressionist movement in the mid-20th century with his drip paintings, but in this postmodern age of art, no single name stands out as young artists of all types make waves with individuality in their work. Riverside artists and California Baptist University students are acclimating to the change.
“When I think about the word ‘trends,’ I think about it in terms of either marketing trends, stylistic trends or educational trends,” said Duncan Simcoe, professor of visual arts. “They interface, they interrelate, but they’re distinct enough to be considered differently.”
In the mainstream art communities, many have noted a large shift toward depicting social and political issues through various stylistic means and practices.
“There’s definitely a trend toward more abstract art lately,” said Anna Hickernell, junior psychology major. “That makes sense since we are heading toward a humanistic age that highlights relativism and how each person feels about something in the arts.”
For many professionals, being displayed in a gallery as a working artist can be a primary goal. Others are starting to forgo third-party dealers and self-promote via art walks or online venues.
“I do it myself mostly because it would be really expensive to do it through somebody else,” said Geoffrey Adams, local Riverside artist. “I’m really trying to make a living creating art. Young artists I know don’t know how to market themselves so they don’t even try to market themselves.”
Adams, whose work can be found on the Etsy page CrudeInc, focuses on using spray paint and stencil on vinyl records, a medium he said has recently become popular.
“A style enters people’s consciousness and people start to create with it,” Adams said. “On the one hand, it functions as competition and it’s very frustrating, but on the other hand, it’s cool to see ideas evolve from certain points.”
Art is no longer subject to a single field, allowing people the freedom to change styles and innovate wthin their works.
“The freedom that art gives me to try new things and explore new opportunities, Adams said. “That is the success that I’m looking for.”
