Date of Award

5-1-2014

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts

Department

Mass Communication and Media Arts

First Advisor

Zhou, Hong

Abstract

Transitions developed after experiencing one of the largest transitions of my life from an autonomous being and business owner to a pregnant woman to a mother, all during my three year Masters of Fine Art program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. The first section of the show follows my emotional progression throughout pregnancy, as well as physical form, highlighting inner conflict. An emotional conflict and progression is illustrated through the use of emotional landscapes on the exterior walls of the space. Each emotional landscape is created from 25 canvas prints that I photographed on my mobile devices. The interior walls showcase my growing pregnant torso and separated oversized heads. The second section of Transitions deals with the issues of motherhood, specifically the working mother. As a working mother and graduate student, I have had to spend a large amount of time away from my daughter, and because of this I have felt a large amount of guilt and sadness. To illustrate these feelings I created installations from empty rocking chairs and all of the milk storage bags that have been used to feed my daughter in my absence. These two sculptures bookend a 10 minute long projection of my drive home taken on my iPhone. Around the exterior walls of this space, images of my daughter sleeping, and personal affects of her room are shown on large 36"x24" digital inkjet prints.

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