INX Gallery Opening at FSU

On February 3^rd, 2012, the Stephanie Ann Roper Gallery opened a show at 7pm which Frostburg State University had never seen the likes of before.  The first ever Illustration show had begun and small crowds of art collectors, art lovers, and artists were meandering around the small, open gallery. “This is the first illustration show at FSU and also the largest amount of works we have ever put up”, said Dustin Davis, whom set up the show with the help of the visual art department seniors. The title of the show, “Battle Lines” was created by a group of artists which call themselves INX.

INX was formed many years ago, around the time of President Reagan, which began their political and social satire-based illustrations. Many of the artists were working for the New York Times, at the time. They cleverly settled on the name INX, as it is a play on words from which the medium they use to create their works of art. Some works are made by hand with ink pens or brushes whereas some are created graphically on computers.

Lines of illustrations graced the walls of the gallery with lights cascading from all angles to highlight the intricate lines of each illustration. “Some of them are funny but some are just odd”, a blonde-haired girl was overheard saying while studying the different themes and styles presented in front of her.

Indeed, some of the works of art displayed had comical, satire themes while others obviously stood for more than just a comical relief. Subjects ranging from past and present presidents to oil crises surrounded the people which wondered around in admiration of the vast amounts of art on the walls.

When first entering the gallery, only three walls were visible. A black ribbon ornamented each wall through the center, wrapping the gallery like a gift. Over the ribbon were hundreds of black and white illustrations, each placed evenly from each other. One solid line framed the three walls and creatively set the visitors right in the center of the “Battle Lines”, which the show was titled.

Starting the “battle lines” from left to right, visitors viewed a massive array of works which followed single file all around the gallery. When finally going through the last wall of works and facing the gallery opening, the entire wall was covered as if the battle had started at the beginning of the works and eventually came to a violent head at the end of the viewing. At least a hundred illustrations decorated the front wall, entirely around the doorway. Visitors stood around the front of the gallery, almost blocking those trying to enter, in astonishment of the amount of intricate beauty in which they were in front of.

Founding INX member, Randy Jones, spoke at the opening of the gallery and students, professors, and artists alike stood in awe around him in the gallery has he spoke of how proud he was to offer Frostburg State University the opportunity to show their very first strictly illustration gallery show. 

Here is a link to the Frostburg State University Visual Arts blog, which also contains a video of INX founding member, Randy Jones, speaking at the opening of “Battle Lines”:
http://artclump.tumblr.com/