The Godwin-Ternbach Museum welcomes members of the Queens College community to come celebrate its 60th anniversary with artworks until Dec. 17.
Selections from the best works in the collection will be on display to celebrate the anniversary by exploring the museum founders, revisiting the origins of the collection and examining art today.
Tours and discussions on art collecting are provided to gain a better understanding of the process and artwork. Admission is free to all who desire to come and admire the works of art.
The collection includes prints by African-American artist Hale Woodruff, Op art by Venezuelan artist Jesus Rafael Soto and 5th century ceramics from Nazca, Peru, among other treasures.
Walls of the museum were covered with pieces of the artists while the museum was filled with art lovers admiring the pieces. The indigenous pieces provided museumgoers with a sense of culture and understanding of what each piece meant.
Cynthia Nunez, a senior at Brooklyn College, said the exhibit was a great learning experience for her.
“I got more than I expected, honestly,” she said. “I wish my school had a variety of culture and more exhibits like this one. The pieces of art were just absolutely stunning and I learned so much history from each and every piece.”
The two floors of the exhibit contained works of art from Latin America, Asia, Africa and European backgrounds. The first floor included pop art, European pieces and abstract art with ceramics, which served as centerpieces. The second floor contained more indigenous pieces. Pieces such as the Bodhisattva Head from Japan and the four-armed guardian figure from Thailand were supplemented with historical information on the pieces.
Maleek Forde, a junior computer science major, said he admired the diversity throughout the walls.
“The vintage art pieces caught my attention. My favorite piece was the painting of Jesus Christ by Jack Linsky. It gave me a sentimental feeling more than any other piece in the exhibit and it was incredible,” Forde said.
The museum’s 60th anniversary exhibit provides museumgoers with a sense of history, culture and imagination. There were enough pieces for everyone to admire and appreciate the work.
Sonia Singh, a junior biology major, said she felt a personal connection between her and the pieces of art.
“Having studied most of these cultures for years and now finally seeing the work makes me feel as if I know the story behind each piece. It was also nice to see works of art from my own culture on the walls. It astounds me that I was able to experience all of that and learn so much more for free. The art reminded inspired me to learn more about culture and myself,” she said.
Anastacia Pal, senior political science major, believes she would attend the exhibit a second time due to her eventful first experience.
“I usually don’t go to art exhibits at school, but this one impressed me a lot. I was so intrigued that this was offered at our school and how much history is in here. I wish there was more attention for this event, I would gladly come again,” Pal said.
