Sunshine Zombies Taking Over Steel Plant Studios’ Gallery
Image of Steelplant Studios' Gallery with "Sunshine Zombies" Exhibition. Photo by Ava Kaloz '25
Every few weeks, the art gallery at Steel Plant Studios changes on a rotating cycle, featuring new artworks by faculty and students alike. With many of these shows featuring artwork based in traditional practices, such as painting, drawing, sculpture and installation, the most recent show is one based on graphic design - and zombies!
On Feb. 27, the art gallery reopened after a long hiatus, displaying the work of Professor Steven Dana. Titled “Sunshine Zombieland,” this show seeks to blend the use of playful graphics with meaningful topics, all while giving viewers tantalizing imagery of a loveable zombie character called “Sunshine Zombie.”
“‘Sunshine Zombieland’ is a land of beauty and fun times, it’s a place where anything can take place,” Dana said with a smile.
Although this collection features dozens of Dana’s works, it does not reflect the original style he began with as an artist. While “Sunshine Zombieland” came together in recent years, Dana previously worked “a long time ago doing illustrations for magazines such as the New Yorker, the New York Times and Harper’s.”
Years after doing illustrations for these big-name companies, his art continued to consist of “cerebral collages, [that were] very surrealistic.”
After having studied to receive his undergraduate degree in Psychology, Dana demonstrated a great understanding of the human psyche and its representation in artwork. It was only until his latest work and his background in psychology collided that he was truly able to display the idea of free association.
“[It’s the idea that] someone asks you about something, and your response is the first thing that comes to mind. My work has nothing to do with zombies other than how it is a zombie character. The character is used to engage with everything in the world that I am curious about.”
In this sense, “Sunshine Zombieland” isn’t about the direct imagery, but instead the meanings that lie within it. Every piece, every character, every heart-eyed, drooling zombie - are all at the forefront of Dana’s artwork, yet they are not the main focus. His work is all about hidden meanings, showing how he interacts and accesses his experiences within the world.
From the psychology behind the show itself to the meaningful intentions that Dana sets within his own work, this exhibition serves as both a window into Dana’s wonderfully colorful mind as well as his classroom.
“The focus [of this show] is how to reach the students, learning how to shape their ways of seeing and thinking, and now, creating,” he said. “[I] try to teach students to approach their artwork from their own psychological perspective.”
With playfulness serving as the backbone to his work and teaching methodologies, Dana explained how his own work has always sought to “stay curious.” With playful imagery that urges viewers to embrace the unthinkable, Dana’s work challenges us to question the world around us through the lens of wittiness and joy.
Dana’s show will be on display within the art gallery until March 27 for those adventurous spirits who want to see a touch of lighthearted fun that conceals important underlying questions. Let Dana’s curiosity about the world be your guide, and allow your curiosities to lead you into the gallery space to explore it sometime - perhaps even bring a friend - or zombie!