Curatorial Rationale

My body of work has adopted the thematic focus of the relationship between humanity and nature, exploring this concept through a variety of avenues, whether they are critical, inquisitive, or hopeful. My pieces have been inspired by a multitudinous combination of inspirations, from real world events to my own personal experiences. Within these pieces, I have experimented with several different mediums, working with various techniques and materials in order to most effectively convey the overarching theme of the body of work as well as the specific intentions and messages behind each individual work. The pieces displayed in this exhibition are the manifestation of this experimentation and its best outcomes, as I have expanded my art making abilities and aimed to create an exhibition that inspires viewers to pursue introspection regarding their own place in the natural world as well as humanity's relationship with the environment as a whole.

The theme of the relationship between humanity and nature is multidimensional and can be approached from a variety of perspectives. Within my body of work I attempted to examine a few specific primary angles to this topic. Within pieces such as Waste and The World is our Oyster, I examined the negative aspects of this relationship, particularly focusing on the consequences of the pollution of bodies of water, an issue plaguing aquatic ecosystems globally, and an overall disregard for the health of the environment. I was inspired primarily by discourse and discussion surrounding the rapid deterioration of the planet due to human influence. Additionally, I examined humanity's place within the natural world in pieces such as Overlook and Thumbelina, intending to convey the interconnectedness between humanity and nature in a more positive light. Within my body of work, I have implemented a diverse variety of art making techniques and mediums, selecting the methodology most suited to conveying the intentions of the pieces. In many pieces displayed I utilized vibrant color schemes coupled with intricate texture in order to mimic the diverse colorful qualities of nature and various elements of the natural world. In order to achieve this, I created my pieces with various mediums, including, but not limited to, acrylic paint, oil pastels, magazine clippings, and even sculpture. The utilization of a vast scope of materials and techniques allowed for the depiction of a plethora of textures and subject matter as well as encompassing the diversity of the natural world.

Regarding the arrangement of my pieces in the display, I organized them in two general rows with four pieces in each row. In order to create a balanced appearance to the exhibition visually, I placed my two larger primary pieces in opposite corners from each other and placed the remaining artworks between them. In order to further emphasize this balance, I attempted to create thematic balance within the pieces as well. I dispersed the pieces depicting nautical inspirations throughout the display in order to create an evenly distributed and cohesive exhibition. Furthermore, pieces depicting a critical perspective on the relationship between humanity and nature are placed evenly alongside those conveying more positive outlooks, hence creating a constant juxtaposition between these points of view and effectively conveying the duality of this relationship to viewers. It should be understood through viewing this exhibition that humanity and the natural world possess an intricate relationship, one that it is our responsibility as individuals and a species to healthily preserve. Ultimately, this exhibition intends to demonstrate to viewers the complex nature of the relationship between humanity and the natural world, encouraging individual and societal reflection and instilling a greater respect for the environment.