SVA Galleries announce a revitalization of their annual slate of juried exhibitions with “Next Up,” a series of shows on view at three of the College’s gallery spaces. In this reimagining of SVA’s long-running tradition of showcasing emerging student talent chosen by a prestigious group of notable alumni, “Next Up” will comprise three simultaneous exhibitions, each representing a component of the series’ central theme of connection—between peoples, histories, ideologies—across a wide range of medium and practice. “Next Up” offers visitors the chance to journey the trail through the College’s galleries from the east to west side of Manhattan, making connections of their own between these diverse, multidisciplinary shows.

The 19 artists and designers of “Next Up: Switchboard” seek to resolve severed or forgotten connections. Whether reflecting upon familial and diasporic erosion or the body's fragility, the works on view pair personal and community experiences with materials that amplify meanings. Some pay tribute to the rich histories that have led them to the present moment, while others establish new connections through their work via active observation and interaction. Each creator integrates elements of resilience, psychology, and memory into their work, emphasizing how inextricable the human psyche is from a complex yet beautiful web of influences.

Juried exhibitions have been crucial to the fabric of SVA for more than 30 years as a way for SVA students to recognize the achievements of their most distinguished classmates. Artists are selected from a large pool of applicants to the annual SVA Galleries call for entries, whose submissions undergo a rigorous examination of presented materials, including documentation of work and artist statements. “Next Up” was inspired by the “playlist” experience with each exhibition meant to be seen as part of a greater whole. This campus- wide event will showcase the work of more than 30 students representing eleven departments, including BFA Design, BFA Fine Arts, BFA Illustration, BFA Photography and Video, BFA Visual & Critical Studies, MFA Computer Arts, MFA Fine Arts, MFA Illustration as Visual Essay, MFA Interaction Design, MFA Photography, Video & Related Media, and MFA Products of Design.

Exhibiting artists include Issa Nader Elias Abu Aita, Ronnie Ahlborn, Leyla Cui, Lester Jingyi Dou, Tao Tao Holmes, Guoguo Ji, Mina Kim, Suzy Lee, Ziru Lin, Fangzi Luo, Evan Peltzman, Maya Satterberg, Zai Thakoor, David Wang, Emily (Xinya) Wang, Jessie (Qian) Wang, Jianshen Wu, Ying Zhang, and Jingyi Zhu.

Jurors are selected to represent the wide range of SVA's creative community. Each of them has become successful in the worlds of design, fine arts, illustration, and the moving image.

Exhibition

Next Up: Switchboard

SVA Chelsea Gallery

Reception