Ochre Studios’ Emma Breatrez, Tyler Gefroh, Ben Nyers, Andrea Qual, Nikalya Synder and Beata Weber were featured in Memorial Union Gallery exhibit RAW from July 19 to Aug. 18.

I was fortunate enough to view their show when I arrived early to campus. I was so moved by the different levels of emotion that I wanted to share this powerful experience in the hopes of enticing you to take the opportunity and see what is happening in the Memorial Union Gallery.

When I walked into the gallery, I started on one end of the room and made my way around, looking at each piece, paying attention to detail.

The different images I encountered were interesting to me. I carefully applied what I learned in Art Appreciation as an undergrad at the University of South Dakota: “Okay, I recognize this as a two point perspective.” “I guess, sort of.”

As I went around the room engaging with the work, I started to notice different feelings coming over me. I noticed the images were becoming more uncomfortable to my senses.

The last set of images I viewed included language written right on the canvas. Although the words were easy to figure out, it took more effort to connect them to the images in the work.

Part of what made this a challenge was they were placed next to a darkened room off to my left, displaying a video showing people in body bags, a distracting image.

Okay, that’s all I’m saying. If you want to make the connection to the art with writings on it and this video, I don’t want to spoil it for you. You will have to look for the next showing of the fabulous, provocative and masterful show on your own.

When I was done watching the video, I felt weird, changed and affected in a way I certainly wasn’t prepared for.

What I liked about this was I allowed myself to go to different levels and experience different expressions of art. I had a choice to enter the dark room or not. I didn’t have to. The artists made me want more.

This is powerful and transformative.

Art that enters your conscience on this level and takes you to the perspective of the artist makes the artist successful and causes you to be an active participant of their work.

Next time there is a show, take time to check it out. You might find you will experience the magic behind these artists’ intent in a way you’ve never imagined, just like I did.