The Stampede

Issue date: 1/22/10 Section: Student Life

Media Credit: Eric Pugh

"I, us," senior Travis Phillips's 490 project opened in the Derthick Art Gallery on Sunday.

Phillips, a fine arts and humanities major, has been creating art since he started making self-portraits at age 8. Phillips has continued doing self-portraits ever since, comprising the majority of paintings in his show. As he worked on capturing the way in which he sees himself within his artwork, Philips started to realize how much his inner self is tied to those around him, something tied to much of the humanities curriculum.

"The self-portraits don't so much describe one's self, so much as they describe the human experience," Phillips said about the show's title "i, us." His art focuses on what it means to be human while being connected to other humans.

"We can better learn ourselves by being around others," Phillips said. "I have to include everyone else in my life to properly display who I am."

Phillips also composed and performed six original songs for the event. For each song, Phillips wrote one version in poetic form for reading and one version to be sung. The poetic lyrics were displayed for guests to read on a coffee table in front of the floral, velvet couch where Phillips performed.
The show will be open at least until Jan. 24.

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