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Obsolescence is the annual capstone exhibition presented by the graduating class of the Bachelor of Fine Art (Visual Art) program at Queen’s. Open until Wednesday, the year’s exhibition showcases a diverse range of artistic practices, including painting, sculpture, printmaking, installation, and digital media.

The title Obsolescence reflects the cohort’s collective inquiry into themes of transition, decay, renewal, and evolving forms of presence and absence—concepts that have emerged through their individual and collaborative studio research.

Co-chairing the event this year are Emma Poley and Sydney Hanson. Emma is a Peterborough/Nogoywanong born printmaker who is based in Kingston. Sydney’s work investigates the concept of femininity, adapting archival family photographs to express untold narratives. Prior to the opening of the show, Sydney sat down to discuss the show and what it means to her fellow students in the BFA program.

Sydney, who has been interested in fine arts since she was a child, explains Obsolescence showcases a year of work of the 20 graduating BFA students. The show, based in Ontario Hall, gives the students the opportunity to participate in a professional show that is open to the public.

“This show represents taking an idea and creating a fully realized body of work,” she says, adding the show is important to the students as it’s an opportunity for their work to be seen. “This is the first opportunity I’ve had to showcase my work to the public. I’ve had individual pieces in a show but to have all my ideas seen by other people – I want to hear opinions and feedback. And meeting other artists and what their experiences are.”

Reflecting on the show, Sydney says her emotions are complicated. “I feel so proud of everyone, but I also feel sadness because this is such a unique experience. Especially the last few weeks, we’ve been pulling all nighters and we’ve all been together in the studio. It’s bittersweet because I know this is coming to an end.”

BFA undergrad chair Professor Alejandro Arauz has been Sydney’s supervisor this past term and she speaks highly of him and all faulty members within the program. “This program is so small; you really build personal relationships with the professors. Hearing feedback from them is so important to my development.”

Professor Arauz explains that at the end of their third year, students are required to write a proposal. “We want the students to prioritize a coherent body of work. That is the blueprint for the next six months of the fourth year of the BFA program. The final year is more like a graduate program where the students work independently but also attend seminars. In those seminars there are eight professional topics including graduate school applications, how to write a statement, applying for exhibitions, etc. This is all about vulnerability of taking the work from the studio to the public.”

He says when he sees the complete show, he has a feeling of pride because he knows the successes and failures the students have experienced to be here.

“The title of the show has a meaning of something becoming obsolete,” Professor Arauz explains. “This is the second last group exhibition of the BFA program. But change is always good in that these practices should exist in the new plan.”

Learn more about Obsolescence on the website.