April 7th, 2017
"A Story Collector" Thesis Exhibition
At Keller Architecture + Allied Arts, Fairbanks, AK-; starts at 5 p.m.
There will be Appalachian snacks-like Potato Candy-available to try, a cozy, informal atmosphere, and art of all sizes, prices, and subjects.
"A Story Collector" Thesis Exhibition
At Keller Architecture + Allied Arts, Fairbanks, AK-; starts at 5 p.m.
There will be Appalachian snacks-like Potato Candy-available to try, a cozy, informal atmosphere, and art of all sizes, prices, and subjects.
artist's statement
"It’s like everyone tells a story about themselves inside their own head. Always. All the time. That story makes you what you are. We build ourselves out of that story.”–Patrick Rothfuss
Stories are the greatest, most human material we can produce and leave behind; they are the pieces left of our ancestors and the parts of ourselves we wish to live on. The narratives we choose to keep, share, or hide reveals more about our personal identities than anything else. We pass on stories for many reasons, but we all pass on tales we find important. The types of stories handed down to others changes from person to person, ranging between the mundane and extraordinary, facts and fictions, somber and playful.
To outsiders, my collection may seem unremarkable or nonsensical, though they are the most meaningful yarns I could spin. As an Appalachian, storytelling is ingrained in my identity; we tell stories for every occasion, repeat old ones ritualistically, fabricate symbols, characters, and happenings. As a culture, Appalachians tend to protect stories about ancestry, religion, and local lore while cultivating stories of morality, tradition, and amusing absurdity.
A combination of clay and draftsmanship is my preferred method of storytelling. Drawing always builds the framework of my stories; the images are intricate, straightforward, and descriptive. Ceramic items are much different than drawings, in that they are naturally intimate and personal, since they require being touched, held; drawings could never provide the cozy or confidential nature some of my narratives require. My work depends on the visual aspect of drawing and the physical, personal sensation of touch. For most pieces, one without the other is only half a story.
My story collection is an identity, one that expresses emotions, thoughts, experiences, ideals, and history. My collection is mismatched, exaggerated, inconsistent, though genuine, and collectively represents the flawed, peculiar people I come from and am part of.
Stories are the greatest, most human material we can produce and leave behind; they are the pieces left of our ancestors and the parts of ourselves we wish to live on. The narratives we choose to keep, share, or hide reveals more about our personal identities than anything else. We pass on stories for many reasons, but we all pass on tales we find important. The types of stories handed down to others changes from person to person, ranging between the mundane and extraordinary, facts and fictions, somber and playful.
To outsiders, my collection may seem unremarkable or nonsensical, though they are the most meaningful yarns I could spin. As an Appalachian, storytelling is ingrained in my identity; we tell stories for every occasion, repeat old ones ritualistically, fabricate symbols, characters, and happenings. As a culture, Appalachians tend to protect stories about ancestry, religion, and local lore while cultivating stories of morality, tradition, and amusing absurdity.
A combination of clay and draftsmanship is my preferred method of storytelling. Drawing always builds the framework of my stories; the images are intricate, straightforward, and descriptive. Ceramic items are much different than drawings, in that they are naturally intimate and personal, since they require being touched, held; drawings could never provide the cozy or confidential nature some of my narratives require. My work depends on the visual aspect of drawing and the physical, personal sensation of touch. For most pieces, one without the other is only half a story.
My story collection is an identity, one that expresses emotions, thoughts, experiences, ideals, and history. My collection is mismatched, exaggerated, inconsistent, though genuine, and collectively represents the flawed, peculiar people I come from and am part of.