Drawings + Sketches

In the realm of artistic practice, there exists an essential yet often under-appreciated medium: drawings and sketches. It is within this seemingly unrefined territory that the rawest expressions of an artist's inner thoughts materialize, untouched by the meticulous process of editing or the anticipation of an audience. Jason Montinola and Kaloy Sanchez, in their collaborative effort at West Gallery in 2016, sought to illuminate the significance of these humble forms of artistic endeavor. Their exhibition served as a reflection to the honesty and authenticity encapsulated within this intimate realm of creation.

As a callback to Montinola and Sanchez’ exhibition, Faculty Project’s “Drawings + Sketches” stands as sincere reflections of an artist's creative process, embodying the initial spark of an idea and embracing the potential for mistakes. They are the humble products of an artist's introspective dialogue, often relegated to a secondary status in the hierarchy of importance. Yet, within their unassuming lines and unrefined strokes, these works manifest as meditative practices, embracing the ephemerality of the present moment and catering solely to the artist's immediate needs.

Moreover, drawings and sketches serve as fertile grounds for experimentation, becoming the testing grounds and reference points for future projects. Their incomplete nature grants them the freedom to evolve and transform, with ideas reappearing across different iterations and with minimal commitment to their final realization. In this sense, "Drawings + Sketches" unveils itself as a profound testament to the intrinsic value of beginnings, establishing a foundation for the artist to revisit and build upon.

Within the context of Faculty Project's inaugural exhibition, "Drawings + Sketches" assumes a symbolic significance that echoes the ethos of our creative space. Much like the exhibition itself, Faculty Projects embraces an ethos of authentic exploration rather than an obsession with attaining completeness. It serves as a starting point, an open invitation to engage with the unbounded possibilities of artistic expression. Just as the artists utilize drawings and sketches as launching pads for their creative trajectories, so too does Faculty Projects foster an environment that values the process of discovery over the pressures of achieving finality.

“Drawings + Sketches” celebrates the unpolished, the raw, and the vulnerable, encapsulating the essence of artistic honesty. By embracing the initial stages of creation and cultivating an atmosphere of unfettered exploration, this project reminds us of the transformative power found within the most unassuming of artistic gestures.