Spring 2012: B.F.A. Thesis Show

by Jamie Gonzales  |   

Part of Eric Griffin's B.F.A. Thesis ShowOpening Reception: Monday, April 30, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Show Dates: Monday-Friday, April 30-May 4
Fine Arts Building, Kimura Gallery

The reception will be held on April 30 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. There will be free parking in the Fine Arts Building Parking lot area starting at 5 p.m. that day. The show will run through May 4.

Artist Statement: "No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a piece of the main." I have always liked the preceding quote by John Donne but I have rarely believed it. John Donne's poem drew upon ideas of the unity of mankind and the notion that if one person were to leave, society as a whole would be affected.  In my experience of life the individual is not "a piece of the main." If someone leaves, their memory or inclusion in society is inconsequential over time. I believe that people move on and eventually forget those who are not immediately around them.

This belief of mine led me to examine the themes of alienation and isolation. My gradual maturity as an artist has led to me to compromise relationships. I've had to sacrifice time for friendships and family. As a result, I have had to consider the costs of being a successful individual. All of the time that is required of me to produce artwork leaves me very little time for those that I consider important to me. This realization made me wish to explore the themes of isolation and alienation. I have purposefully isolated myself to create my artwork.  Donne's ideas are important in this instance because everyone feels alone at some point and I hope to relate to my audience these emotions.

I explore these themes with the use of black and white figure drawings.  The figure is essential to my work because it is an expressive and understandable subject one can relate to. Through the visual style, composition and the body language of the figures, I hope to elicit in the viewer my "characters'" solitude  and moods.

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