Date of Award
Spring 5-2020
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Visual Art
Degree Type
Thesis
Abstract
Through my research I have discovered there are many complexities that exist within the topic of intimacy. Of these complexities, I chose to explore the topics attachment and codependency in my final series. Attachment and codependency are deeply rooted in psychology, poetry, and many artist’s practices. The relationship between poetry and my work has become deeply intertwined. I combine poetry with my work as a way to document my feelings and to inspire the titles for my paintings. Through a series of intimate watercolor paintings, I reference bodies, intimate interactions and the ambiguity within the two. This ambiguity asks viewers to contemplate boundaries and the act of searching for a sense of self.
Language
English (en)
Program Director
Patricia Olynyk
Program Director's Department
Graduate School of Art
Thesis Advisor
Meghan Kirkwood
Studio/Primary Advisor
Richard Krueger
Studio/Primary Advisor
Meghan Kirkwood
Committee Member
Monika Weiss
Committee Member
Monika Weiss
Recommended Citation
Henderson, Brie, "The Complexities of Intimacy" (2020). Graduate School of Art Theses. ETD 140. https://doi.org/10.7936/vem9-rw55.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/samfox_art_etds/140
Included in
Art Practice Commons, Contemporary Art Commons, Development Studies Commons, Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons, Fine Arts Commons, Other Psychology Commons, Painting Commons, Poetry Commons, Theory and Criticism Commons
Artist's Statement
A theme of intimacy presents itself in my recent work. A series of personable paintings come together, some more ambiguous while others become literal references to the body, to speak about the many facets of intimacy including closeness, attachment, and sexuality. Subtle changes of color palette and poetic titles bring the nuances of these facets together to show how intertwined they are with intimacy. Created quickly and intuitively, making this body of work allowed me to contemplate the many questions I had about intimacy within my own personal relationships and reflecting on my sense of self. Although the work is personal, my hope was to open a new discussion about intimate interactions among viewers that seems to have never been had before.