Curatorial Rationale
The concept behind my exhibition is the representation of my own experiences that shaped my current identity. Each of my artworks is a symbol of a certain memory or issue within my life. My exhibition is displayed on a long wall allowing me to configure my artworks in the form of a banner. The banner shape I use is a long horizontal triangle. The reason I choose the banner shape was to represent a call for action. The banner shape allowed me to group my artworks that had related topics and allowed the display to come to a single point. I did this to bring attention to that last artwork embodying the concept of my exhibition, personal experience that shaped my identity.
In four of my artworks I represent my identity. In my artwork “Life Chain, Rain Chain,” the different colored gems represent a variety of character traits I wish to develop. These character traits include success, joy, trust, creativity, healing, nurturing and strength. In my artwork “Bite Me” I was inspired by my hometown of Madison because it shaped my understanding of what it is to be part of a vibrant and forward-thinking college town. Madison has influenced my understanding of politics, music interest, taste in food, and my fashion. My artwork, “The Five Feet Senses” represents all the five senses of touch, taste, smell, sight, and sound. I chose to depict feet because they represent a sense of touch. This sensation helps to anchor and direct the body. For example, they are the first thing to hit the ground in the morning and take me to wherever my mind decides to go.
When I created certain artworks I wanted to represent issues that I care about. Some things that I care about are pollution due to excess waste and the progression of women’s equality. The “OctoDIE” artwork focuses on pollution and the damaging effects it has on the ocean as well as the octopus population. Octopus will crawl inside of trash containers which can hurt or even kill them. Another issue that is represented in three of my artworks is the feminist movement and different issues involving equality for women. The feminist movement is important to me because when I was little I wanted to be This is important to me because I am a woman. The first feminist artwork I made is entitled, “Men are an Accessory, Not a Necessity” which was inspired by the Gibson Girl. The Gibson Girl was popular during the late 19th and early 20th century in the United States. The Gibson Girl illustrations were progressive pen and ink drawings advertising the feminine ideal of physical attractiveness. It appeals to me because it promotes women’s strength and independence.
The artwork “Broken Discovery” is an indirect self-portrait about overcoming obstacles. This artwork was inspired by MC Escher’s artwork of the “Hand With Reflecting Sphere”. MC Escher’s artwork is a self-portrait that was affected by the illusion. This inspired me to do a unique portrait that illustrates personal conflict and self-discovery. The black background shows pain and struggle. The face is made from the colors black, white, and grey to show the person is experiencing sadness and pain. The other half of the face is the broken CDs showing a variety of colors reflected from the broken CD. The colors reflected in the CDs represent happiness. I want the viewer to relate to the multiple emotions represented in the artwork. The primary aim of this artwork is to represent that pain can be dark but also can lead to personal growth and happiness.
When the audience is viewing my exhibition I want them to connect with the importance of their own experiences shape the current identity. My artworks all represent something important to me and I hope the viewer would think about what is important to them. By creating this artwork I have aimed to tell a story about myself that my viewers can relate to.
The concept behind my exhibition is the representation of my own experiences that shaped my current identity. Each of my artworks is a symbol of a certain memory or issue within my life. My exhibition is displayed on a long wall allowing me to configure my artworks in the form of a banner. The banner shape I use is a long horizontal triangle. The reason I choose the banner shape was to represent a call for action. The banner shape allowed me to group my artworks that had related topics and allowed the display to come to a single point. I did this to bring attention to that last artwork embodying the concept of my exhibition, personal experience that shaped my identity.
In four of my artworks I represent my identity. In my artwork “Life Chain, Rain Chain,” the different colored gems represent a variety of character traits I wish to develop. These character traits include success, joy, trust, creativity, healing, nurturing and strength. In my artwork “Bite Me” I was inspired by my hometown of Madison because it shaped my understanding of what it is to be part of a vibrant and forward-thinking college town. Madison has influenced my understanding of politics, music interest, taste in food, and my fashion. My artwork, “The Five Feet Senses” represents all the five senses of touch, taste, smell, sight, and sound. I chose to depict feet because they represent a sense of touch. This sensation helps to anchor and direct the body. For example, they are the first thing to hit the ground in the morning and take me to wherever my mind decides to go.
When I created certain artworks I wanted to represent issues that I care about. Some things that I care about are pollution due to excess waste and the progression of women’s equality. The “OctoDIE” artwork focuses on pollution and the damaging effects it has on the ocean as well as the octopus population. Octopus will crawl inside of trash containers which can hurt or even kill them. Another issue that is represented in three of my artworks is the feminist movement and different issues involving equality for women. The feminist movement is important to me because when I was little I wanted to be This is important to me because I am a woman. The first feminist artwork I made is entitled, “Men are an Accessory, Not a Necessity” which was inspired by the Gibson Girl. The Gibson Girl was popular during the late 19th and early 20th century in the United States. The Gibson Girl illustrations were progressive pen and ink drawings advertising the feminine ideal of physical attractiveness. It appeals to me because it promotes women’s strength and independence.
The artwork “Broken Discovery” is an indirect self-portrait about overcoming obstacles. This artwork was inspired by MC Escher’s artwork of the “Hand With Reflecting Sphere”. MC Escher’s artwork is a self-portrait that was affected by the illusion. This inspired me to do a unique portrait that illustrates personal conflict and self-discovery. The black background shows pain and struggle. The face is made from the colors black, white, and grey to show the person is experiencing sadness and pain. The other half of the face is the broken CDs showing a variety of colors reflected from the broken CD. The colors reflected in the CDs represent happiness. I want the viewer to relate to the multiple emotions represented in the artwork. The primary aim of this artwork is to represent that pain can be dark but also can lead to personal growth and happiness.
When the audience is viewing my exhibition I want them to connect with the importance of their own experiences shape the current identity. My artworks all represent something important to me and I hope the viewer would think about what is important to them. By creating this artwork I have aimed to tell a story about myself that my viewers can relate to.