Reclaiming Myself

Date
2020-05-11
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Abstract
Personal is the first word I would use to describe my work. The other words I would use are brutal, dramatic, visceral, uncomfortable, and questioning. The sculptural works I created were a way for me to come to terms with my past relationships and how they were still affecting me. The influences and inspirations that I draw from are my own life experiences. I examined previous text messages, memories of my past relationships, my own writings and poems I’ve read to understand myself. Latex, iron, glass, wax, dyes, wire, paper, and fabric were the materials that resonated the most meaning. The chosen materials had importance for what they already were and what they could portray. Each material became very symbolic in my work as metaphors for fragility, weight, and injury. In addition to materials, performance is a large component of the work. The performances within the work are meaningful as my own body is involved. Inserting my body into the work is not just important because I am the maker, but because the experience I am speaking to is my own. This is my story.
Description
Thesis completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Alfred University Honors Program.
Keywords
Honors thesis, Relationships, Performance art, Sculpture
Citation
DOI