Senior Thesis Proposal

 

  1. Description 

My honors art thesis will explore the contradictory nature of navigating life with true autonomy. According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Psychology, individual autonomy refers “to the capacity to be one’s own person, to live one’s life according to reasons and motives that are taken as one’s own and not the product of manipulative or distorting external forces, to be in this way independent.” Thus, my pieces will concern themes of public scrutiny and observation because the consequential feelings of feeling watched can restrict one’s ability to act authentically. Within this idea exists a contradiction between internal autonomy, what one wants to do, and the external manifestation of conformality or hesitation. I question if true autonomy can exist if others perceive you differently than you do yourself. Furthermore, I will dive into the internal conflict that prevents one from being their “own person”. Oftentimes, opposing emotions and traits compete in the mind, fragmenting understandings of identity or rationality. What can you do when you can’t even trust yourself? I hope to evoke self-reflection in viewers. 

I will use acrylic paintings and a mixed-media installation to create a cohesive collection of pieces. I want to begin with a series of large-scale paintings to physically confront viewers head-to-toe with my messages. At first, I will paint physical contradictions as a metaphor for internal conflict, then I will hopefully find ways to creatively share more abstract ideas. I will continue creating colorful works, but I intend to experiment with composition and scale. 


  1. Personal Connection

The ideas of contradictions and autonomy are important to me because such questions often plague my mind. I have always tried to strive for authenticity and independence, but internal and external conflicts have presented as challenges in this journey. Because this is personal to much of my self-dialogue and contemplations, it fuels my creativity and art making. For me art is an outlet for my frustrations and realizations of the world and myself. 

Concept wise, my most meaningful piece is my mask project titled Entropy. Entropy birthed the idea of internal paradoxes. It expresses the dichotomy between chaos and order as it exists in myself and how this imbalance can restrict me– and blur the lines of what is true autonomy. My performance piece titled Under Scrunity also inspired me because I was not only forced to repeat a ritual, but I was also under constant observation, feeling the discomfort.  In my boundles piece titled So much depends upon, I experienced the most momentum. Creating this accordion book was fulfilling because I was able to paint moments and memories important to me. I was excited to do what I loved most: painting. Therefore, I know I want to make paintings for my thesis.

Finally, the memory installation piece titled Utopia connects with the free-feeling idea associated with autonomy. In childhood innocence and happiness, the world isn’t as complex and authenticity doesn’t need be a conscious decision. Additionally, Utopia was unique to me because I had never created an installation or piece as large as that before. To stretch my artistic capabilities, I will continue to experiment with large-scale and in-the-round pieces like Utopia or Under Scrutiny. I also hope to step outside of my comfort zone with composition, becoming less illustrative and more imaginative with my designs. I want to be able to create new compositions (as photographers do) instead of replicating what I see. I think the Donna L. Sands gallery works best with my expected plans. Its open space will allow me to create a performative piece alongside my paintings on the walls. 


  1. Visuals 

iUnder Scrutiny 




entropy

 

Utopia… not yet sure how I will incorporate this concept yet. 


  1. Inspiration 

Jean-Michel Basquiat 

  • Characterized by his distinct graffiti-esc and abstract style, Basquiat’s energetic paintings explored race, power, and culture. 








 




Maria Esmar (color)

  • Characterized by expressive abstract paintings, highlighted by her bold brush strokes,  and harmonious use of color 






Henri Matisse (Color, composition, stylistic)

  • With works varying from landscape, still life, portraiture, and interiors, Matisse is known for leading the fauvist movement, using expressive color and simplified forms. 

Prudence Flint (Thematic)

  • She paints women alone sitting and thinking within an interior space. She desires to be open and true with her paintings, displaying real bodies and “normalness”. I think the message behind her work resonates with aspects of my ideas– a desire for realness and intensity. 

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