Department of Design Students Work with Artist in Residency at Texas Tech

Ismael de Anda, an artist in residency at Texas Tech University, worked with students to create an art installation to be exhibited in the College of Human Sciences.

Rachel Anderson, Assistant Professor in Apparel Design and Manufacturing, said De Anda's imaginative concept seen in this piece responds to Lubbock's culture of wind and aviation history, as well as his personal interest in science fiction.

The name of the piece is "Celestial Bodies," and is composed of a variety of materials including souvenir t-shirts donated by the community. De Anda worked with sculpture students to construct a monumental bone-like framework for the piece while designer and artist Professor Anderson worked with apparel design students to repurpose the t-shirts into panels of "skin" affixed to the structure.

Professor Anderson said together, the skin and frame creates a captivating juxtaposition of art that De Anda seems as "mutant practices." This term also refers to the variety of techniques and media materials used in his work.

De Anda was born in El Paso, Texas and currently lives in Los Angeles where he earned a Master's of Fine Arts from California Institute of the Arts. His work also focuses on concepts such as cultural history and political issues that stem from his memories of growing up in a border town.

Sponsors for De Anda's artist-in-residency and this project come from funding from the Ryla T. and John F. Lott Endowment for Excellence in the Visual Arts administered by the School of Art, as well as Landmark Arts in the School of Art whose exhibitions and visiting artists scholars programs are supported through a generous grant from the Helen Jones Foundation of Lubbock. Additional funding comes from the College of Human Sciences and the printmaking, sculpture, and art history programs in the School of Art.

The sculpture instillation unveiling and reception took place Friday, September 22 in the College of Human Sciences.

Professor Anderson said she would like to thank the College of Human Sciences Dean's Office, Dr. Sharran Parkinson, Hi Tech Fashion Group, Dr. Tim Dodd, The Texas Tech School of Art, Joe Arrendondo, Will Cannings, Cody Arnall, Francessca Vega, and Scotty Hensler.