University of the Ozarks senior Connor Klein has turned his passion for fishing into the inspiration for his award-winning artwork.
The art and business administration major from Bentonville, Ark., will present his Senior Art Exhibit, Gone Fishin’, from April 5-14 in the University’s Stephens Gallery. He will present an artist talk at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, in Baldor Auditorium in the Boreham Business Building and there will be a reception to meet the artist from 6-7 p.m. on Saturday, April 8, in the gallery, located in the Walton Fine Arts Center.
Klein said fishing relaxes him and puts into a meditative state.
“While I am fishing, the overwhelming thoughts of life disappear as the act of fishing takes over,” he said. “My artwork combines multiple visual perspectives from dreamlike spaces, thoughts, and more realistic aspects. My artworks consist of graphite, marker, charcoal, college, and colored pencil drawings. The artwork was created with design in mind, to help show the thoughts and feelings perceived while fishing.”
Klein said much of his artwork consists of three main subjects: the act of fishing, the various species of fish, and the baits used to catch them.
“The subject of fish symbolize the target or goal in mind,” he said. “The fish you chase after all live in different environments, have specific attitudes, and various coloration. The baits represent intrusive or overwhelming thoughts creeping into the tranquil experience. The baits are represented in a graphic style to depict a more physical presence. In life, you have many choices as in fishing: The bait, the style of fishing, the targeted species, the cast, the location, or time. The choices you make are up to you, but if you think too much you ruin the experience you set out to have. The combination of all three subjects create a dreamlike state to represent where your mind escapes.”
Klein’s drawing, SeaSick, recently won Best in Show at the 2023 Collegiate Competition at the River Valley Arts Center in Russellville, Ark.
“SeaSick incorporates all three subjects to show the appreciation for the beauty of each fish in their environment, and the mental states that can be experienced,” Klein said. “The fish floats above me just out of reach, as the baits are scattered directly below creating a sense of reality and control.”
A native of Missouri who grew up in Northwest Arkansas, Klein said he has been fishing as long as he can remember.
“Fishing has taught me many things about myself and has allowed me to learn not just about the environment of the water, but the entire natural ecosystem,” he said. “Fishing has had a massive impact in my development of patience. Fishing was initially about catching fish, but now I appreciate the act. It has transformed into an art form and escape.”