by Jennifer Johnson
The Collegian
Issue date: 2/1/08
The Dunwoody Campus Library is currently hosting a vivid and interesting exhibit of abstract art by Associate Professor Charles Phillips, who has been teaching art history and art appreciation at GPC since 1990.
The exhibit is entitled 'Art and The Spiritual,' and is a collection of mixed media pieces inspired by his "emotional and spiritual interpretations" of what he sees.
Phillips was born in Ghana and taught there for many years before becoming an Advisor to the Minister of Art and Culture. He left his post there after regime change in 1982, and regrets the impact the politics of his position had upon him.
"It is important that my work should challenge the viewer optically, intellectually, and philosophically," and this is certainly the effect his works tend to have.
Upon first glance many of the pictures do not lend themselves to obvious or immediate interpretation. There are many colors and sweeping lines and curves that can appear chaotic, at first, and require much of the viewer to discover the communication within each piece.
One of the students' apparent favorites is entitled 'Jubilation,' which Phillips said was inspired by a picture of ballet dancers.
Phillips' favorite piece is entitled 'Keep Watch,' a picture is of a bird watching over its nest, which Phillips said depicts how we must all be mindful of our thoughts, our words and our actions.
Deep feelings and a sense of the invisible influences in our lives are evident throughout his work, which will be on exhibit at Dunwoody until Feb 28.
Phillips ended his interview by giving his basic philosophy of how to live; "Make sure you place yourself where people will enjoy you -not admire you, but enjoy you," said Phillips. "[It is always best] to be a team player, to love people. And in order to love others, you must first love yourself."
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