Identifier

etd-06112014-160035

Degree

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Department

Art

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

The common thread in all my work is time—its passage, effects, and remembrance. I have created a series of works that are meditations on time, the ephemeral quality of memory and the effects of aging, profession, and life decisions on our bodies, especially faces. The physical materials and my treatment of them reinforce these themes, showing the erosive qualities of earth, and drawing inspiration from natural features that signify the passage of time such as desert hoodoos, desert varnish, old wood, erosion and chemical oxidation, and from man-­‐made features such as old documents that have been written, erased, and rewritten. The effects of time are likewise reflected in my treatment of surfaces, for example the use of oxide washes where oxidation equals rust or weathering, the exploitation of the characteristics of clay, which dries and cracks over time, and the layering of other media result in surface textures that are like geological strata. As we age we begin to feel the high speed of time going by. Like our bodies, our memories fade as well. We cherish memories of friends and family but memory is ephemeral, because we are ephemeral. We often judge character by facial appearance. The patina of age on people is not valued, although old finishes on furniture are highly valued. Ultimately my sculptures are about placing value on the relationships we have with our family members and friends and cherishing the short time we have with them. It’s making lasting memories of our times together because they are the most valuable things we have in life.

Date

2014

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Walsh, Michaelene

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.1656

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Fine Arts Commons

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