Reflection-Senior BFA Exhibition

A week after the show, here are my thoughts:  My final project was truly an outcome of my winter quarter's experimentation--working with wood, pouring and playing with resin and adding color, playing with intersecting planes, growing live crystals to observe fractal growth, etc. I was aware at the time that my experiments were far from my best work, but looking back I think of them as my "ugly children." I wasn't sure where I was going at the time but I knew deep inside I was on a journey of evolution and creation. Out of that painful process came my idea for the light boxes that served as the matrix for my fractal work. I feel the end result was unique and beautiful. I "invented" an entirely new process, at least to my knowledge. (They say there is nothing new under the sun, so I'm not absolutely sure.) I haven't mastered my new invention yet, as I am thinking of ways I could refine my process. I think my boxes transform the traditional stained-glass window into something very modern. The boxes are my abstract and free-standing "windows" and they're portable and flexible. It works indoors hung in front of a window and it would work hanging outside on a tree limb, for instance. I could vary my content from people to animals, to nature and landscape...the possibilities are endless. My take-away here is that I experienced the way failure can actually facilitate success while on a personal path of growth.

Comments from my instructors at DU last quarter were that my craftsmanship needed to be brought up to the same level as my ideas and writing and I think I accomplished that goal. I was conscious of workmanship while I was working on my project. I do realize there are certain things I could do even better with each new piece. (I noticed that each consecutive box was a little better than the one before.) I am proud of my final project and what I accomplished. Dan, Kelly, and Kaitlin each stated they thought I executed my concept well. People and friends who don't know much about art read my artist statement, looked at my boxes, and totally "got it." I really don't think my idea was that complicated--either you like it or you don't and that's okay with me. I am comfortable with that.