The Hunt Club Community Arts Centre is currently adorned with a display of artworks, each echoing the notes of different musical compositions.
This unique exhibition, ’The Art in Music,’ is a collaborative project by students from the Paul Borg Art School.
Students were tasked with listening to a piece of music and creating an artwork inspired by it. Ranging from ages 11 to 70, the artists took on a creative journey that spanned generations and genres.
Each artwork is accompanied by a QR code that viewers can scan with their smartphones, instantly transporting them into the auditory realm of the artists’ inspiration.
Among the participating artists is Sunshine local, Jeff Willis, who shared his insights into his artistic process and the inspiration behind his chosen pieces.
“The project was open to all students, with the freedom to interpret the music theme in their own way,“ Willis said.
“For my pieces, I selected two songs for very different reasons.“
His first choice, “Low“ by Flo Rida is rooted in surrealism.
“There’s a catchy lyric in the song that mentions ’apple bottom jeans, boots with the fur,’ which I really like,“ Willis said.
“Drawing from surreal influences, I translated those songs into a painting, painting two actual apple bottom jeans.”
For his second piece, Willis delved into the iconic realm of rock and roll with KISS’ “I Was Made for Loving You.“
Willis said he was initially drawn to the idea of portraying a statue of Infant Jesus of Prague. However, as he delved deeper into the symbolism of music and worship, the painting evolved into a statement piece about the high regard musicals are held in.
In his rendition, baby Jesus transforms into a rock deity commanding the stage with a defiant rock salute and a guitar adorned with angel wings.
“KISS is an iconic band and this is a statement piece about rock and roll, and music, and how musicians are treated like God on stage in essence worshiped by their audience.”
Hannah Hammoud
