Art, represented

The artistic talent of UM-Dearborn students soon will make an impression on policymakers, staff and others in the state’s capitol city.

Narcisa N. Diceanu, a finance student in the College of Business, and Jose Cabello, a mechanical engineering student in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, were chosen to have their artwork displayed in the Anderson House Office Building—home to the Michigan House of Representatives—as part of the Student Art in the Legislature initiative, a program created by the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan.

Untitled, 14 x 14 inches, acrylic on paper

Diceanu’s painting was done for an assignment in Intermediate Design-Color taught by LEO lecturer Kevin Castile.

“This is a very elegant grid that is enhanced by the gently sloping diagonals and the narrowing and widening of certain lines, along with the corresponding color gradation within those lines,” Castile said. “Her color choice, placement and control sing a very quiet and understated song. Narcisa is exceptionally talented, and she has a natural grasp of abstraction.”

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Bust of a Bearded Man, 10.75 x 12.5 inches, pencil on white Bristol paper

Cabello’s drawing was the final assignment in Beginning Drawing taught by LEO lecturer Madeleine Barkey. It was drawn directly from an anonymous 18th century work on view at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

“The original drawing is light and finely detailed, yet Jose’s rendition depicts a darker, brooding man, in both medium and mood,” Barkey said. “I’m always surprised to see what students will choose from the DIA’s collection for this assignment. It is so fun to see art through another’s eyes, and Jose's work is a good example of that.”

The students’ artwork will be on display for one year, accompanied by a plaque indicating the name of the piece, the students’ names and their affiliation with UM-Dearborn.

In recognition of their achievement, Diceanu and Cabello have been invited to a reception in mid-October hosted by members of the Legislative Arts Caucus.

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