Artwork created by De Anza College students and faculty will be showcased for the De Anza Creative Arts/Silicon Valley Open Studios at the Euphrat Museum May 18 through 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The exhibition features paintings, drawings, mixed-media works, photography, sculpture, ceramics, furniture and more created by students at De Anza College.
The exhibition is presented in conjunction with the Arts 72 Internship in Art class.
De Anza students Jing Yu and Hiroto Kato whose works are going to be showcased in the exhibit, have agreed to be interviewed and answer questions about their photography.
Q&A with Jing Yu (Photographer)
“How do you feel about your work being presented?”
I feel very excited. It’s a great way to share my work. Through my photographs, I hope people can feel and find the deep beauty and gentleness in me.
“Has art been a lifelong hobby/passion?”
Yes. I had my first film camera about 19 years ago. I always liked to take pictures wherever I went.
But I really learned how to photograph from De Anza. De Anza College has a great photography department. The instructors and staffs are very friendly and helpful. I am very grateful for it. I want to thank De Anza photography department for giving me the great environment to learn and to create photography.
“Where do you get your inspiration from?”
My major was literature, so most of my inspiration is from literature (poems, stories). I also get inspiration from Chinese ink painting and movies.
“What is one of the biggest obstacles you’ve faced while trying to pursue this hobby/career in art?”
I worry about if I can find a job that related to photography or not after school. One of my instructors told me, “If you do it from your heart, money will come after.” I think it’s very true. Therefore, I am focusing on learning more photography skills and creating more work now.
Q&A with Hiroto Kato (Photographer)
“How do you feel about your work being presented?”
It is my first time that my work is being presented so I feel very good. I feel as though I accomplished something in my life. Also, since my art piece got accepted into the art show, I feel like it motivated me to keep on doing more art.
“Has art been a lifelong hobby/passion?”
No it has not. It is not my passion; my passion is actually more in the engineering field. However, I think I am now growing a passion for photography.
“Where do you get your inspiration from?”
I saw my parents taking photos in Yosemite and got inspired from then on. I got my first camera four years ago and that is when I started taking photos. I also get my inspiration from Ansel Adams and Robert Frank.
“What is one of the biggest obstacles you’ve faced while trying to pursue this hobby/career in art?”
Trying to find a dark room and an area to develop film. De Anza is providing me with this now but I do know where I will go after I leave De Anza.