Of the three cases full of artwork in the Student Center’s Art Alley, one particular painting has stopped some people and turned them into spectators of art.

Mike Beam’s particular painting is of an Army man aiming a gun at his jeep. A penis is sketched in white on the Army man.

Beam said his painting is not meant to be deviant.

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I use a lot of sketches, and none of them have any relevance to deviance. It’s just my art, Beam said.

Heather Ingram, a junior in radio and television from Hazel Crest who viewed the exhibit, said she was not offended by the painting.

I don’t know what to think, she said. This is the perfect example of hyping something up to the point where people who wouldn’t generally take notice stop and stare. But, maybe that’s the point.

In October 1994, there were complaints concerning the Art Alley when parts of a photography exhibit were covered. Some students had said they were concerned about censorship while others said they were concerned about the content of the art.

The 1994 exhibit done by Jay Thomson displayed photos of homophobic slurs on Thomson’s body. The slurs were eventually covered by black pieces of paper by the Student Programming Committee.

Brad Epplin, a Junior in Civil Engineering from Pinckneyville, who also viewed the exhibit, said he was surprised to see Beam’s painting in the Student Center.

I guess they’re allowed to paint what they want, but I think this sort of thing has more relevance in a health book, he said.

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Beam is the director of Visual Arts for the council, and he said he decides what is displayed in the Art Alley. He was not the director during the time Thomson’s exhibit was on display.

In the case of Beam’s display of paintings, no complaints have been made to the Student Programming Council. Beam said he tries not to get involved with censorship.

Personally I don’t like to deal with censorship, Beam said. Here in the Art Alley, certain levels are necessary because I’m dealing with a different crowd than an art gallery.

Beam said his paintings take a lot of work and thought to become what he feels will be successful.

Surface animation is very important, as is the juxtaposition of colors. In creating a fluctuating yet homogenous surface, the painting becomes successful, Beam said.

No comment could be obtained from other Student Programming Council sources.