Biological sciences junior and artist Sarah Amacker relieves stress from class and work by creating art.
Her art is about not taking life too seriously.
“I make this stuff as a hobby,” Amacker said. “The art is supposed to be fun because it’s bright and bold. It’s not serious at all.”
These products of her imagination will be on display at Red Star Bar this Friday starting at 10 p.m.
The name of her exhibit, “The Pop Virus,” came from her old computer, Amacker said.
“Me and my sister came up with it,” Amacker said. “We started with ‘pop’ because of the pop art, and we got ‘virus’ because the old laptop I would make the art on has a crazy virus.”
Patrons will be in for a surprise, said Brady Crane, event producer and founder of Juba Media.
“Amacker’s art really caught my eye when I first saw it because it’s so interesting,” Crane said. “This is not your standard pop art.”
Amacker will have 10 to 12 pieces on display at the show, which Crane said students can learn from.
“Art is very inspiring,” Crane said. “If you are an art student, you can gain so much by seeing the art.”
Popular culture and retro fashion are Amacker’s main influences.
“A lot of music, like Lady GaGa, influences me, too,” Amacker said. “’80s retro culture and fashion, like leggings, they’re just so part of our daily life.”
Pop art is different than most other art types, said Paul Dean, associate graphic design professor.
“It’s part punk rock and part Dadaism,” Dean said. “Many critics thought it was shallow at first, but the public didn’t care at all.”
The combination of various art forms is what attracts students to pop art, Dean said.
“Pop art just combines different things,” Dean said. “It reproduces really well because of the contrasting colors.”
Amacker said her creations began when she started altering her existing photographs.
“All of it is based on photographs,” Amacker said. “I manipulate the images using computer media like Paint and Photoshop.”
Amacker’s story is unique, Crane said.
“Sarah is not an art major,” Crane said. “Her story will show others that you don’t necessarily need to have formal schooling. It’s all about channeling your inner artist.”
Being a graphic artist has given Amacker a new realization about life after college.
“I don’t think I’m going to do med school, and it’s definitely opened my eyes to other career paths,” Amacker said. “Biology can be monotonous, but art is just so exciting.”
 
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Contact Kittu Pannu at [email protected]