Collection complete
An unlikely artist is now unveiling his work in the art gallery
Using the mediums of graphic design, user interface design, film, and photography, Liberty University professor and artist David Meyer will be opening a self-featured art exhibit entitled “Menagerie.”
Exhibit — Professor David Meyer’s “Menagerie” opens Thursday, Jan. 22. Photo provided
“I went with the name ‘Menagerie’ because it’s a collection, kind of like a hodgepodge of things,” Meyer said. “The work I do is wide and varying.”
The exhibit will feature a form of photography called hyperlapse, in which about 60 photos shot consecutively are stacked and made to simulate a video. Hyperlapse is something Meyer had not yet done before preparing for the exhibit, but he said he was inspired by a student to try the technique.
The exhibit will also feature user interface design, which is a form of graphic design that is used for software or applications.
“Menagerie” will be located on the fourth floor of DeMoss Hall, room 4069. The gallery, which is free and open to the public, will open Thursday, Jan. 22, with an artist reception from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The exhibit will continue through Feb. 19.
Meyer, who is a professor and graduate of the studio and digital arts department at Liberty University, began his career with photography by accident.
“(In pre-school) I was horrible. I got in trouble because I never colored inside of the lines,” Meyer said. “And in Sunday school, I was ostracized, and now I’m teaching art.”
Meyer needed a free elective in high school and decided to take on photography. Meyer’s father gave him one of his old cameras from the ’70s, and he began shooting. His first shot was of a barn in the winter.
“Growing up in Ohio, there are a lot of barns,” Meyer said. “I got really inspired, so for a while, all I would do is (take photos of) barns in Ohio.”
Seeing that first film develop really struck a chord with Meyer, thus jumpstarting his career with photography. When he began studying at Liberty, there was only a single photography class and no photography major. This pushed Meyer to explore graphic design.
“I was not a good student,” Meyer said. “My parents were surprised that I graduated and then went to college and then to grad school and became a professor.”
Meyer’s inspirations, much like his artwork, are extensive and varying. Some of his more recent work, such as the art featured in his gallery, draws inspirations from British bands from the ’90s and music heard in the Church of England.
“Inspiration comes from different places,” Meyer said. “I like to read a lot, so I really draw a lot of inspiration from getting immersed into those worlds. I just love stories.”
Next, Meyer plans on working more with a software company he is a part of and also plans on working more in photography.
“I really want to focus on combining photography in motion,” Meyer said.
HOWERTON is a feature reporter.