Thomas Lail delivers insight into the unknown with new piece

By: Maliha Memon

Staff Writer

Hudson Valley Community College fine arts professor Thomas Lail showcased his frosted vinyl piece, “Garden,” in the Administration building. The exhibit will be on display during the fall semester. 

According to Lail, the artwork is mainly inspired by British designer, activist and poet William Morris’ 19th century wallpaper. Lail likened his piece’s overarching themes of balance to Morris’ textiles.

“It’s like the old wallpaper with a bit of a modern twist on the glass,” said Leonidas Longsworth, a fine arts major. “I like during the afternoon when the sun hits perfectly on the windows and creates this very nice silhouette.” 

In the words of Lail, the architecture of the building’s atrium was used to complement his art. He mentioned on numerous occasions that he didn’t want to lose the natural sense of openness that the atrium had.

Fine arts major Hannah Davis compared the piece to looking into reality with a thin layer of idealism.

“I like his ideas in art of utopia, creating wallpapers of people who had these ideas and putting it up against glass which makes it feel like a parallel dimension,” said Davis.

With “Garden,” the idea of gaining a glimpse into something greater was felt amongst some students.

“The fact that it’s on glass and on a college building has to do with looking through into a world that is unknown or out into the future,” explained Isabella Lotano, a fine arts major.

Along with the theme of the unknown and known colliding, “Garden” brings together simplicity and complexity. 

“It’s a nice stark difference between the sharp, geometric and modern lines of the building versus the very intricate and ornate design of the piece,” said Davis.

According to Teaching Gallery Director Tara Fracalossi,  the artwork’s design and detail display growth and serves as a contrast to the events in the 19th century, most notably the Industrial Revolution.