Soap Carving

Materials:

Soap

Masked Identity

Materials Used:

Wire
Gel Medium
Tape
Spray Paint


Artist Statement:

Because this project was called "masked identity", I took that very literally and made a mask that quite literally is a hidden identity. Something that a lot of people don't know about me is that I was adopted. As a child, I didn't quite understand what that meant other than being unwanted which caused me to be shy and closed off sometimes. This is what drove my decision to make several pieces hovering over and hugging the body. Once I was old enough to fully understand and appreciate my family, I let go and felt free of this issue which is why I had a few shoulder pieces going away from the mask to represent opening up. Even if this mask were not about adoption, I believe it can relate to a number of different people who have ever felt secluded or shy and then overcoming that with the ability to let go of their issues and move on.

Memento

Materials Used:

Resin

Beads

Hot Glue

Artist Statement:

For this memento project, we had to think of a personal time or memory and translate it into a hand-sized sculpture only using three materials. One of my longest lasting memories I have is the memory of waiting everyday for months at the hospital with my terminally ill family member. To keep me entertained during this time, my aunt would bring beads to the hospital for us to play with. After he passed away, my aunt and I still connect to play with beads and remember my uncle. I chose resin as a material because it looks like glass. glass is such a fragile thing and it reminded me of how fragile life is. I created a bed of beads and resin as a perfect representation of that memory. 

Map Relief

Materials Used:

Paper

Foam Board

Spray Paint

Artist Statement:

For the map relief project, the research done beforehand became more personal. Most of my answers to the questions had to deal with people and relationships between them. I began by making a lot of origami boxes of all different sizes. Then I spray painted them with different shades of blue. When I put them all together I wanted there to be a clear line between different sizes and colors of the boxes but also have some integrated together. The statement I was trying to make is that while it is cliche, while everybody comes in different shapes, sizes, and colors, it doesn't really matter because we are all made of the same thing and should not separate from others because of those reasons.

Balsa Wood

Materials Used:

Balsa wood
Pastels
Wood Glue
Paper
Tape
Hot Glue
Pins

Artist statement:

In this project, the task was to design three different small sculptures using the required materials and having at least one design element. For my first one, I began cutting and sanding small squares and triangles and arranging them. Afterwards, I used a combination of wood glue and pastels in different colors on top of the wood to create texture. For the second one, I wanted to create a focal point that only could be seen through one, small hole. I cut out circles that got smaller in size and held them together while sanding them in order to make sure they were able to fit together. This proved to be an incredibly difficult and time consuming task. When I was finished with this, I put a small, crescent shaped piece of paper on the bottom of all of the circles and arranged them so that while looking down on it, it created a eyeglass like shape. My final sculpture was the easiest and my personal favorite. I made a box and put smaller balsa wood pieces inside of it and poured hot glue on the top to create a whimsical blanket over the wood.

Tape Shoes

Materials:

Masking Tape

On Longing

"The body is the primary mode of receiving scale."

In order to understand the vastness or narrowness of something, we usually relate it to the size of our bodies for comparison. This picture relates to that quote because even though I'm sizably the biggest thing in the image, I'm surrounded by an expansive area.

"Capacity of objects to serve as traces of authentic experience."

In my opinion, this statement is trying to say that souvenirs of mundane objects do not qualify as a memento of a truly authentic experience. It is something from an event, time, or location that cannot be replicated in the way that it originally was. Whenever I look at my senior prom dress, only worn for a matter of hours, it reminds me of my experience. It's something that only happens once and this picture in addition to the dress perfectly illustrate this statement. 

"The souvenir reduces the public, the monumental, and the three dimensional into the miniature, that which can be enveloped into the body."

When a family member became sick, my aunt would bring beads and thread to the hospital to pass the time. It became a regular thing. When he passed away, I was left with physical memories with family and supporting him. I made the decision to create a jewelry line in order to take my depression and sadness and turn it into a positive memory. These souvenirs are not just enveloped into my body, they are memories, happiness, depression, and hope that I wear proudly as a positive statement. 

"Nostalgia cannot be sustained without loss."

Growing up on a farm and constantly around animals, I grew an incredibly deep affinity and respect for them. It is debatably impossible to reflect and have nostalgic feelings towards something without loss. This was my favorite horse that unfortunately passed away. I believe this picture truly captures our relationship and it makes me feel nostalgic. 

"To have a souvenir of the exotic is to posses both a specimen and a trophy."

This statement is explaining that there is power in possessing something from a personal experience and that it is to be cherished and appreciated. This violin has been in my family since the 1500's and was restored and given to me. It is my only instrument that I have displayed on my wall because even though I do avidly play it, it's almost like a trophy to me - something that I'm proud of and I regard as being something worthy of showing off.