Date of Award

Spring 5-15-2015

Author's School

Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts

Author Department/Program

Graduate School of Art

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Visual Art

Degree Type

Thesis

Abstract

Mesmerized by horror, my artistic practice investigates traumatic stories of history, myth, personal narrative, and fiction. The serial narratives are imposed upon two decapitated historical queens, Marie Antoinette and Anne Boleyn. Represented through opposing sides, the women’s facial planes fracture and stretch and erupt in oral infestations. Stories of rage flood the compositions, fabricating an epic battle and argument. Through influences of Catholicism, I construct disputes over the feminine body. Monstrous forms are the effect of combining oppoisiton terms, formulating humanistic and sympathetic symbology. Mirror Theory and the myth of Medusa defend a destruction of self through reflection.

Influenced by comic book graphics and historical depictions of horror by artists such as Goya and Kiki Smith (among others). I create large ballpoint pen drawings, with blood-pigmented ink. Within numerous minute details, the lines illustrate tiny eyes and ears along the jawlines, lack of neck. Drawn beads transform into infestations, vomit, diagrams, and clothing accessories. The absence of body is explicit to horror and violence.

This thesis document is an expansion upon storytelling, narrative, trauma, theory, and the feminine body while developing an argument about sex, penetration, and accusations.

Language

English (en)

Program Director

Patricia Olynyk

Program Director's Department

Graduate School of Art

Committee Member

Jessica Baran

Committee Member

Jessica Baran

Committee Member

Heather Bennett

Committee Member

Angela Malchionno

Artist's Statement

Permanent URL: https://doi.org/10.7936/K7NG4NT3

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