What is leadership? Sprott students respond through art

Students in Professor Troy Anderson’s fourth year leadership course (BUSI 4112) were challenged to put their creativity on display and produce works of art to convey their individual points of view on leadership. The students rose to the challenge and organized an art exhibition on Friday November 30 where they showcased their views to the Carleton community.

Student Erin Peck with her de-constructed cupcake Cornell box. — Commerce student Erin Peck shown with her Cornell box depicting leadership through the various ingredients and steps involved in making a cupcake. Her interactive work offered viewers the chance to sample the finished product.

The pieces in the exhibit used Cornell boxes to depict a wide range of leadership concepts, leaders and followership themes. (Inspired by French Surrealism and his various Hollywood and ballerina muses, American artist Joseph Cornell (1903-1972) used boxes filled with a variety of found items to convey a memory, fantasy, idea or dream. His works inspired many artists to use tangible collages as a form of artistic expression.)

The students did extensive research in preparing their works and the exhibition. They visited and spoke with staff at the National Gallery of Canada, the Carleton University Art Gallery and Carleton’s School of Industrial Design.

“It was so different from any assignment I had done before,” says Qing Guo, a business exchange student from Remnin University in China. “Organizing the exhibit was a way to put leadership to action.”

Leadership Cornell Box by Daniel Ng using wood, pencils and moss — Daniel Ng, fourth year BCom Management
“Adaptation”
Wood, Pencils, Moss

Cornell box by Sonya Wadhera — Sonya Wadhera, third year BCom Management
“Shine Bright Like A Diamond”
Wood, Plastic, Cardboard, Glass

Cornell box by Guillame Paya — Guillaume Paya, Business exchange student from the School of Business in Rennes, France.
“A quoi penses-tu?”
Wood, Plastic, Paper