Abstractions of a Paradigm showcases UWindsor grad's work
By Christopher Trotman
Lance Writer
October 15, 2008
 Far from the leis, grass skirts, and sun of Hawaii, Scott Yoell brings Abstractions of a Paradigm to Artcite. A mixed media exhibit combining paintings, sculptures, and even a moving projector all with an explicitly horrific beauty.
Yoell, a Windsor-born artist, obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Windsor. This is his second time returning to Windsor since his BFA exhibition, the first time being in 2003 where he did a performance piece in the Other Wedding Extravaganza.
Yoell notes that his stay at UWindsor affected him positively stating “It made me a believer … I went to school after having a knee injury … and it allowed me to combine disciplines.”
Sometimes it came by road, other times it came by sea—a sculpture on display at the exhibition — depicts one of Columbus’ boats, the Santa Maria, sailing atop rats with human noses for heads. The sculpture deals with the theme of manifest destiny, the consequences of manifest destiny, as well as Yoell’s own research on the plague.
The detail of the sculpture gives it a lifelike quality that is quite memorable and, suffice to say, drives its point home.
This, however, is not to take away from the paintings, as they also contained their own distinct qualities. Namely, the one picture of the incredible hulk, depicted in pink, juxtaposed next to a dandelion. The piece, entitled Cold, Pink, and Alone, was meant to highlight the struggle of the tortured hero, both in the Incredible Hulk and in Lou Ferrigno, the actor who played the hulk. It was an interesting piece that painted a childhood hero in a different light.
While some of the paintings held praise to the unsung hero, others dealt directly with mankind’s affect on the world. This can be seen strongly in the piece A Fiction of Paradise. This painting is a direct translation of Yoell’s experience of seeing the carcasses of baby Albatrosses on the beaches of Hawaii with garbage spilling out of their stomachs. In our consumer culture we are often bombarded by imagery that underplays our role in the world. However, we have a big impact, and we often see just how big by sitting idle.
“Its almost this post-apocalyptic theme. You know that something’s gone wrong,” said one patron at the exhibit. There was a good turnout for the opening reception, mostly students from the Lebel School of Visual Arts. Yoell was friendly, receptive, and happy to answer any questions that came his way. It was a very relaxed and casual reception that encouraged people to take in the art in their own time.
“It’s abstract and fragmented, but then you start seeing the bigger picture,” commented another patron. Everyone viewed the art in different ways, but overall the exhibition seemed to be received well by those in attendance.
For more information on the exhibition or the artist, visit Yoell’s website, http://scottyoell.com.
As well, the exhibit will be open from Oct. 8 till Nov. 14 at Artcite, located at 109 University Ave. W. Admission is free to the public.
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