Charlotte Mixed-Media Class Creates A New Mural
In the halls of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a new artistic endeavor has taken shape, transforming the third floor of Fretwell Building into a canvas of interdisciplinary expression. The mural, aptly named “Intercoalescence,” is the latest creation by students from the mixed-media studio, under the guidance of painting professor Maja Godlewska and printmaking professor Erik Waterkotte. This month, the artwork found its home outside the Office of Interdisciplinary Studies, a fitting location for a piece that embodies the essence of collaborative creativity.
The project was commissioned by Beth Whitaker, the interim associate dean and executive director of Interdisciplinary Studies. The vision for “Intercoalescence” was brought to life by the students of the Fall 2023 class. “I enjoyed the opportunity to meet early in the semester with students in Erik and Maja’s class,” Whitaker recalled. “We had a lively discussion about what it means to do interdisciplinary work and how bringing people together with different areas of expertise can lead to creative collisions and groundbreaking innovations.”
Drawing inspiration from Henri Matisse’s renowned paper cut-outs, the students embarked on a journey of artistic exploration. They crafted a collage using cut paper and acrylic marker drawings, which was then photographed and magnified to create a wall wrap. This technique, while leaving the mural flat, imparts a three-dimensional appearance, a testament to the students’ ingenuity and skill.
“The cut-out colored paper process provided a unique visual language that the class could share and collaborate on,” Waterkotte explained, emphasizing the translation of distinct forms, layers, and shadows through the enlargement process.
For Whitaker, the mural transcends its physical form to become a symbol of the interdisciplinary studies program. “With its combination of colors and elements in different layers, the mural that the students subsequently created does a great job representing the energy, imagination, and even tension that can characterize interdisciplinary collaboration,” she said.
Godlewska and Waterkotte, who have been leading the mixed-media class since Fall 2016, have seen their students’ work spread across the campus, from Atkins Library to the Colvard breezeway. The Fretwell mural, according to Waterkotte, is far from their last endeavor. “We actually have a bit of a waiting list,” he revealed, hinting at more collaborative masterpieces to come, each a testament to the vibrant, innovative spirit at UNC Charlotte.