IAC's artist talk highlights two exhibits by professors

Angel Dover photo

Students and faculty members sit in on Jill Magi, Jonny Farrow, and Elizabet Eliot's discussion during the artist talk.

The International Art Center (IAC) held an artist talk, taking a look into Jill Magi’s “This Is Reading” and Jonny Farrow’s “When Corner’d Use The Wall.”   

The artist talk was a discussion where special guest Elizabet Elliot, a curator from the Alabama Contemporary Art Center in Mobile, asked Jonny Farrow and Jill Magi questions about their work. While focusing on the two exhibits the artists currently have on display in the IAC, they also discussed a few arts-related topics.

“It’s a nice opportunity to talk with Elizabet from Alabama Contemporary, which is not something I get to do every day,” said Assistant Professor of Art and Design Jonny Farrow.

“Also, I am able to do that with Jill Magi, who is my partner in life but also my wife, to have the opportunity to listen to someone ask her about her work and hear her speak.

“It is also an opportunity for some crosstalk between our work as well because we make work that is very different from one another, but we’re always collaborating in terms of studio visits, talking about each other’s work and sharing what we’re working on. It’s a unique chance for people to come to and hear a couple of artists’ talk who actually teach at the university.”

Jill Magi is an assistant professor in the English department. Some of her work is also on display in the university library and involves book binding, words and handmade textiles and pages. Farrow’s work is also multimedia and makes use of sculptures and puns.

“I like hearing the artists talking and discussing their work because hearing about how they came about doing it is a lot more interesting,” said Kaylee Simpson, a senior digital studio art major from Enterprise, Alabama. “Instead of just seeing the artwork, we both get our own perspective of it.

“The people who give the talks are my teachers as well, so a lot of it is to support them as well as to see how they get inspired and their own inspiration. You learn a lot about the people that do this and their process of work.”

“I’ve had a class with Professor Magi before, and I’m in her first writing class this semester, so I like her artwork,” said Thomas Kay, a senior English major from Monroe, Louisiana. “I like art in general, so it’s a fun event to come to.”

For those who were unable to attend the event,  a recording of the talk can be found on Facebook at the International Arts Center page. “This Is Reading” will be on display in the IAC until April 6. “When Corner’d Use The Wall” will be on display in the IAC until April 14.

More information about upcoming events in the IAC can be found on its website at troy.edu/iac and Instagram @iac_troyuniversity.