Four second-year Master of Fine Arts candidates organized Refract, an art exhibition that showcases their large sculptures, narrative photography and interactive technology. “Ultimately the title had some good flexibility that I think spoke for the immersive qualities in all of our work,” said Elijah Ruhala, “as though our time here at TCU this far refracted through our hands to make the work presented.” Austin Lewis crafted the sculpture in the front viewing room from recycled materials. “His sculptural and text-based works, crafted from discarded items and snippets of popular culture, challenge viewers to reconsider the oddity and wonder in the mundane,” according to a press release from The Art Galleries at TCU.

Mckee Frazior’s “Tech Knee Ohm” provides the audience with an opportunity to interact with technology. He used a panel of light switches to invite the audience to engage with the piece without any instruction. The switches control a combination of words projected on a wall. “You are communicating with the computer through its native language,” Frazior said. Raul Rodriguez approached the theme differently. He used narrative photography to focus on the history of the Bracero Program. “Historical imagery is incorporated onto fabrics, while portraits of living Braceros symbolize the connections between the past and present against the backdrop of a western landscape,” according to the press release. Elijah Ruhala, a painting major, stepped out of his comfort zone to create “The(ir) Art of Loving.” The large, three-dimensional piece was inspired by one of his relationships. He used lumber, wax paper and oil paint to create a space that loosely resembles a bathroom. “The piece rewards the viewer for spending time with it, but doesn’t answer all the questions,” said Ruhala. “It leaves an opportunity for people to bring their own experiences to the work.” Refract is open for viewing at The Art Galleries at TCU until Saturday, February 17.