Faculty, student artwork featured in international ArtPrize competition

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The ArtPrize competition entices artists from across the world with potential viewers and riches, and among them are two of Central Michigan University’s own.

The annual Grand Rapids art competition features a variety of art forms and mediums throughout 192 of the city’s venues, where the public can view their favorites and vote online for the winner.

This year, the competition features 1,713 artists and a $250,000 prize to the winning piece.

Caseville senior Robert Lefief’s entry to the competition was “Ecdysis,” a 42-inch globe made entirely out of scrap metal.

“I wanted to make something that pertained to the world and contained a green message,” Lefief said. “I polished up some of the metal, but I left some of the rusty parts to portray that idea.”

Lefief spent about 300 hours on “Ecdysis.” He said his goal for the competition isn’t so much about winning as it is about getting his name out in public and becoming known as an artist.

“Since I’m not much of a drawer, I always had to explain my idea,” Lefief said. “To resemble the shedding effect of the rust, I would describe it is like the shedding of a snake’s skin. Come to find out, the term for that is ‘ecdysis,’ and I figured it would be an original, meaningful name.”

“Ecdysis” is featured in Peppino’s Sports Lounge, a Grand Rapids pizzeria, 130 Ionia Ave. It is a place Lefief found fitting for their bare metal furniture and industrial style.

Al Wildey, associate professor of art and design, entered a 2-D composite on aluminum entitled “Midland.”

The piece is a product of a journey Wildey took to Midland Hospital to visit a colleague diagnosed with colon cancer. The piece is made up of 200 photographs taken throughout the 55-mile trip. It holds a place close to his heart — it was the last visit Wildey made before his colleague passed away.

“I want to capture the essence that life is a journey, not a destination,” Wildey said. “There are smaller journeys along the way, and while some are happy and some are sad, we have to continue to live.”

Wildey finds the ArtPrize competition somewhat bittersweet.

“It’s interesting and exciting, but frustrating at the same time,” he said. “It’s tricky to appeal to a common denominator and still portray the message you want.”

Anne Gochenour, director of the University Art Gallery, was impressed with “Midland” and Wildey’s work as a whole.

“He is really enthusiastic and devoted to his art,” Gochenour said. “He uses an interesting process that records the sense of movement in a personal journey. ‘Midland’ is a bittersweet piece, yet he is able to envelop the viewer and create an environment within the piece.”

“Midland” is displayed at the University Art Gallery and has maintained a spot in the ArtPrize’s top 50 photographs. The festival continues until Oct. 10 and votes must be cast by Oct. 6.