What started as a fascinating foray into the world of the human body, ended with an unexpected bonus for Daniel Rodgers, professor of Graphic Design at Campbell University’s Division of Fine Arts. Rodgers took several area students, including some from Campbell, to the popular exhibit “BODIES,” on display at the Streets of Southpointe in Durham, N.C., and ended up winning an art competition sponsored by the exhibit.”BODIES,” an international exhibit sponsored by Premier Exhibitions of Atlanta, features actual human bodies, specimens and individual organs, preserved by a unique polymer preservation process. The exhibit, which is no longer on display, reveals how the body works by exploring it from the inside out. Though daunting, viewers of the exhibit are said to walk away with a better understanding of how the body operates and a deeper respect for the machine that gives humans the power of life. For more information on the exhibit itself, visit www.bodiestheexhibition.com.Since the human form is a central subject in much of Rodgers’ personal work, he took along his sketchbook and encouraged his students to do the same. After several hours of sketching, Rodgers said he noticed a flyer promoting a competition sponsored by “BODIES.” The goal was to showcase any drawings or sketches having to do with the exhibit and present the winners with cash prizes. The only obstacle Rodgers faced was the deadline for the competition, the following day.”There was no way I could drive back to Durham the next day with a framed and ready to hang piece, so I haphazardly ripped a page from my sketchbook, signed it and turned it into the officials there,” said Rodgers. “Ironically, I ended up winning a hefty monetary prize for second place, pretty crazy.”The moral of the story for Rodgers’ students?”Always take a sketchbook wherever you go and draw, draw, draw!” he said. “You never know when it may come in handy.” Photo Copy: Graphic Design Professor Danny Rodgers’ winning sketch in the art competition for the exhibit “BODIES,” sponsored by Premier Exhibitions of Atlanta.
Rodgers receives more than inspiration from “BODIES” exhibit