A new exhibition is offering locals art they can sink their teeth into.
With the opening of their first Gainesville exhibition, Holographic Teeth, Steven Speir and Hilary White are transforming a hobby into a full-time job.
The two artists filled the gallery with a mix of colorful 2-D and 3-D pieces, reminiscent and inspired by graffiti.
The name, Holographic Teeth, parallels the type of artwork that was displayed throughout the reception.
It will be on display through Jan. 31 at the Full Circle Gallery at 10 NW Sixth St.
“Teeth are very visceral, but because something holographic isn’t even there, it sort of plays on spirit and body,” said White, a 30-year-old UF fine arts master’s student.
Speir, 33, said they both like incorporating bright colors into their artwork.
“I’m inspired by bright colors and color fields in general,” he said.
Although the colors grab the viewer’s attention, there is deeper meaning to their work.
“I’m trying to gather the subconscious of the innocence of a childhood nightmare,” he said.
In their attempt to build an artistic community here in Gainesville outside of the university, they have been working on small, side projects.
“I’ve been starting something online where I’ve interviewed artists I’ve found in this community and videoed them,” White said. “It’s a small project I’m building up.”
Eventually, they would like to have a space where artists can come, perform and play music.
Zac Thompson, a 21-year-old UF fine arts senior, was at the exhibit’s opening and said he thought the duo complemented each other’s work.
“I think with everyone you can get a gut feeling about whether you like their work or not,” Thompson said, “and I really liked their work.”
A version of this story ran on page 7 on 1/16/2014 under the headline "New graffiti-inspired exhibit opens in Gainesville gallery"
Hilary White displays her artwork at the Holographic Teeth exhibition inside Central Florida Office Plus. The exhibit opened Saturday, and White’s work will be displayed alongside Steven Speir’s through Jan. 31.
