CURATORIAL RATIONALE

My featured artworks show my investigation of the influences of place and time on cultural values. I represented each concept through isolated imagery and stylized colors, visually condensing complex concepts in a way that can be understood from a variety of perspectives. Additionally, I used a variety of media but maintained a solid focus on contrast and color in my artworks, making for a visually diverse but cohesive exhibition.

I began this exhibition by expressing my cultural background. In “Talk To Me Cover Art,” I represented modern teen culture through “Talk to Me” by Cavetown, expressing the themes and the mood of the song. Next, in “Human, Nature,” I reflected on the interaction between the natural and man-made elements in my physical surroundings, showing how these seemingly contradicting forces of nature and man are closely related. In creating these pieces, I was mindful of cultural context and began exploring symbolism.

Next, I broadly shifted my conceptual investigation towards the concept of “virtue.” I chose this theme because it is appreciated in many cultures but its interpretations vary greatly. In my “Knowledge” diptych, I explored this contradiction by depicting innocence and wisdom in parallel works. “Careless Youth” represents innocence and ignorance with daisy flowers, and “Remorseful Age” represents wisdom, experience, and regret with a blue lotus flower. Additionally, I intentionally created an expressive mood through style and color palette.

Next, I investigated the origins of virtue as a concept.  In “Lady Justice Upholds the Cosmos,” I represented Ancient Egyptian Ma’at, cosmic balance and justice, referencing the associated goddess and highlighting her mythological connection with the sky. The Egyptian concept of feminine, calm Ma’at directly contrasts with the Ancient Greek concept of masculine, spirited fortitude, which I depicted in “In the Mouth of the Beast.” I placed the lion’s mouth at eye-level to create a sense of physical conflict between the viewer and the artwork and force the viewer to directly experience fortitude. 

I selected these artworks due to their thematic and visual connections, demonstrating the development of my cultural research and the advancement of my craftsmanship skills. To show this progression, I placed my earlier, foundational pieces at the bottom of the exhibition, followed by my intermediate “Knowledge” diptych in the middle and topped off by my recent print piece. Finally, I placed my final, sculptural piece on the right end, showing the culmination of my development as an artist.