The most epic installation at the 2006 MFA exhibition at the Henry Art Gallery is by Tivon Rice (U.S., b. 1978), entitled Apotheosis. 2006. It is comprised of computer monitors and polyethylene, measuring 6 x 24 x 4 feet. This work exemplifies the growing use of surplus materials from large institutions like the UW or Boeing. Old server racks provide the skeleton for a wall of biomorphic, translucent forms which obscure a multi-channel abstract video projection along a wall. The tone of the pieces changes as quickly as the color of the monitors.

Susie J. Lee (U.S., b. 1972) has two strong pieces. In Consummation. 2006 a video projection on wood, measuring 14 x 62 x 7 inches, the artist projects the shadows of burning string onto an artfully irregular surface. Noli me tangere. 2006 is a video projection on hand made paper, measuring 34 x 42 x 6 inches. The image is of a finger pushing from a canvas sheet creating a tracing movement that is both mesmerizing and quiet. The piece creates the feeling of a digital ghost in the gallery leading your eye through the piece.

Timothy Brown (U.S., b. 1975), plays with our memories in his pieces. Untitled, 2006 is a veneer and resin piece, measuring 49 x 32 x 3 inches. We have all sat in these uncomfortable chairs, either at school or at other institutions. These ubiquitous forms are in everyone's imagination. His interactive Spanking Machine, 2006 is made up from steel, motors, and chain, measuring 36 x 36 x 72 inches. See the video here. Just press on the pedal and the spatula is activated in a steady drum like fashion. The artist seems to be taking a conceptual cue from Joseph Kosuth and then going one step further by making the functional aspects of the form aesthetically obsolete.

Christopher C. Carter (U.S., b. 1975) draws with shadows in his piece, Serpent as Cloud I 2006 made from acrylic, measuring 25.5 x 84 x 3 inches. The artist uses light to activate his compositions on the wall which give the viewer an ethereal ephemeral experience. The composition is broken up into multiple panes which adds to the cinematic element to the piece. The overall effect is both pleasing and multifaceted.

Elizabeth Majewski (U.S., b. 1979) has an untitled installation 2006 made from Neoprene measuring 5 ½ x 6 x 6 feet. Set inside one of the jewel case galleries right off the hall, the piece has a flavor of Yayoi Kusama in a post apocalyptical mood. It takes the viewer through the detritus of contemporary living, artfully organized through solids and shapes of discarded industrial forms. Occupying half of the gallery, it leaves the viewer wanting more.

Anna Lambert (U.S., b. 1980) has created an environment through an unusual design of wallpaper. Untitled, 2006 is a mixed media measuring 8 x 21 feet. Recalling the Arts and Crafts movement of William Morris and the typographical experiments of Roycrofter Dard Hunter, the artist provides the viewer a multi-layered context in which you can pour your own narrative into the piece. Set in the entry gallery, this installation grabs you at the beginning and snags you at the end of the exhibition.

Every year Henry Art Gallery hosts the University of Washington's School of Art, Master of Fine Arts exhibition in the North Galleries. Throughout their graduate program, students have worked with faculty advisers and other artists to expand concepts, develop advanced techniques, discuss critical issues, and emerge with a vision and direction for their own work. Pieces in the exhibition are selected by the students and their thesis committees, with curatorial assistance from Jim Rittimann, Henry Art Gallery head preparator and exhibition designer. The exhibition runs May 27-June 18, 2006