NYU is almost comically known for its love of the arts. But, with a bustling city producing incredible art for the world to consume, it can be easy to forget that those at NYU are already contributing to that world.

This Thursday saw some of that talent recognized and appreciated at Steinhardt’s Barney Building, where Steinhardt Studio Art BFA students Lilli Bitucci ‘14, Audrey Tseng ‘15 and Olivia Chou ‘14 collaborated on a gallery entitled, “I am only in control of vegetables.”

This is a case where it is hard to explain the contents of a gallery because they are so extremely diverse andstrange. Many of the works center around plants, such as the wall zucchini or the wall of houseplants (a play on the idea of controlling vegetables). There’s also a heavy emphasis on food, such as a stack of salami hiding in a closed fridge — which pulled some big laughs — and the centerpiece of the whole gallery: a fake turkey hat, wig and egg sitting in chairs on a stage.

However, the gallery is not limited to food-based installations. Other gems include a series of suspended clear orbs filled with blue glitter, a chair held up by golden apples and a tower of beach balls.

It is utterly fascinating to see the differing styles of three artists coming together, frequently collaborating on various works in the gallery. Tseng’s solo works prominently feature gold and blue hues, boasting a classic, stoic mood. Chou’s feature the most garish colors — she is responsible for the giant beach ball. Bitucci brings in the most eclectic and strange works of the bunch (the salami fridge is her creation). It’s a testament to their collaborations that each piece feels like it fits, despite the noticeably different styles. Finding multiple artists whose works can pair together is tough enough, but having those artists create work together can be nearly impossible. It’s a testament to the skill they have as artists, as well as the camaraderie the trio shares.

All together, the gallery is a light and entertaining display, created by three artists who clearly are having fun with the strange and surreal nature of art (the salami installation encourages you to take a slice and slap someone with it). It’s nice to find artists who are this confident in their eccentric styles. It also can be easy to forget that the student sitting next to you at Kimmel or Bobst might be an artist already kick-starting their career, and opportunities like this are valuable reminders of that.

“I am only in control of vegetables” is on display at the Barney Building at 34 Stuyvesant Street through Sept. 24.

A version of this article appeared in the September 12 print edition. Email Carter at [email protected]. An earlier version of this article has been updated to reflect that students Lilli Bitucci ‘14, Audrey Tseng ‘15 and Olivia Chou ‘14 are Steinhardt Studio Art BFA students, not Tisch students.