Residency Summary

The MFA in Visual Arts low residency was full of colorful suggestions. Most suggestions came after my point of focus was established. During the following semester issues of colorism in African-American culture will be addressed, and confirms that its affects produce division. During the residency there were many suggestions that provided a basis of conversation for future works.

At the residency most of the works presented vocalized a variety of different statements, which caused much confusion and questioning of my focus for future works. Considerate suggestions were made about how to arrange and rearrange works for future residencies. Display is an important element for the accessibility of art, so one strategy for this semester will require sensitivity in this area.

The abstract painterly quality in the Seven Sisters series was admired by many critique group members. Out of all of the works shown it was one of the strongest pieces suggested. Though the series was done through photographic medium, many felt this style could suggest success with actually pursuing painting. Another suggestion was to take photographs and paint over the images. Other good points were to study the spiritual in abstract art, or studying the street photography of German photographers. Many also suggested that the images show more detail, it was argued that the images could have taken place anywhere. The next concept to think about is creating images that show more characteristics of the area. Adam McEwen was the only one at the residency who identified the subject of the images being from England. However, he also felt that it seemed more like an exercise than a conceptual piece.

The Covered series was more unclear to most people at the residency, and it was suggested that the concepts within the piece be broken down into more simpler, identifiable forms. As a conceptual piece it deemed more important that the ideas be more visual than symbolic, and that the works be presented more accessible to everyday people. The Christian themes within the piece, as well as other pieces, were seen as a barrier to some. Discreet, non-suggestive titles were suggested to allow the images to be more accessible to those who aren’t Christian.

Jan Avgikos felt it was interesting that the models in the Covered series looked so similar to the artist. As a black woman in the program, she felt that there were concepts that I could contribute to examine diversity issues in the art world. She felt that there were subliminal messages that were speaking through this series. Messages that weren’t relative to the original intent and concept of the piece. She also felt that the digital paintings, Spiritual Warfare, were the strongest pieces. There seemed to be an opportunity to expound on this particular medium to facilitate ideas. Also, it appeared that digital art and video would allow me the use of a variety of skill sets. Such a project would give opportunities to build a set, sculpt certain objects, and merge them within one piece. This was determined to be an effective way to communicate narrative themes that my work has covered.

At the conclusion of the residency numerous suggestions in regards to African-American artists were made in reference to my independent study plan. Majority of those suggested were African American women who have dealt with similar issues of race and skin tone in their works. Among them were Kara Walker, Carrie Mae Weems, Adrian Piper, Lorna Simpson, David Hammons, Mona Hatoum, Byron Kim, Faith Ringhold, Maureen Fleming, Bell Hooks, and Ellen Gallagher. It was also suggested that I sit in on Sunanda Sanyal’s course on campus called, “African American Artists: The Harlem Renaissance through the Civil Rights Movement.”

Recommended Readings:

Location of culture / Homi K. Bhadha.

Orientalism / Edward W. Said.

David Hammons by Kellie Jones, Interview

Film: School Daze by Spike Lee