The Hawk

Issue date: 1/24/07 Section: Entertainment

"Angel of Mercy" shows Everett's pension for symbolic imagery.

Bold colors and texture characterize Everett's work.

Chad Cortez Everett brings new meaning to "local color" with his exhibit, "Homecoming", which is currently on display over at Boland Hall. Its loud colors and bold style most certainly set it apart. He has been a fixture on the local art scene for a number of years, and has a close connection to the area. He graduated from Overbrook High School, and even displayed some of his early work here ten years ago at the University Gallery. "I consider this as a symbolic milestone in my career," said Everett. "I was here ten years ago, and look where I am now."

Everett has, in fact, taken his career in art to impressive lengths. Since passing through Overbrook High's four year "Art Magnet Program", which assists inclined students in putting together a portfolio and getting them in contact with art-specialized schools in the area, he has obtained a bachelor of fine arts degree from Temple University's Tyler School of Art, and a master of fine arts degree from Maryland Institute College of Art. He is now employed as an art teacher at New Castle Middle school in Delaware, not to mention a constant presence in galleries and expos locally.

Thematically, his work is meant to portray representations of "the struggle of everyday life." He draws inspiration from his own personal experience, and that of his close friends and family. Though his art is highly personal, Everett wishes that something universal be taken away from his exhibitions: "I want to be able to touch people," he said.

His painting style is best described as textural and incredibly colorful. In his work, colors hold highly symbolic significance, and are a vital component to his particular themes. He uses popular archetypal conceptions of representative colors to evoke certain emotions such as red for passion or anger, but also acknowledges that there is an important balance to consider when putting together a palette. "You have to think about which colors you're using symbolically, and which ones you're using to make the painting more aesthetically pleasing."

Everett has also created his own symbolic language, a graphical representation of the complex emotions that fill his paintings. "Angel of Mercy" and "Pulling Your String", to name a few, contain figures with human torsos and tables as lower bodies. According to Everett, these figures are " meant to represent that we are tied down by physical and mental forces that we should try to overcome."

Perspective is important as well. Often, it seems, larger or closer figures represent those that are the moving forces in the paintings. Whether they are positive or negative in connotation, the focal points of each work are immediately apparent.

Everett's full circle journey is surely to be appreciated in "Homecoming". He has constructed a truly effective emotional interpretation with this exhibit of what it means to conquer "daily struggles", and has managed to make them relatable to any audience member, regardless of the very specific nature of the struggles that he illustrates. It is necessary to look beyond some of the artist's apparently sinister themes, such those in "Hell in a Handbag", to uncover the unifying and uplifting themes that can be taken away from much of his work. Race or station in life are not considered in "Homecoming," Everett's main purpose is to show that we all share difficulties that we must strive to overcome.

Take a break from your daily struggles and get over to Boland to see this truly unique work. The exhibit will be on display until February 15 in Boland's main gallery.

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