Cognitive Sprawl, 2010






"Cognitive Sprawl" was the name of my Honor's Thesis Exhibition that was open to the public in the John Sommer's Gallery on the UNM campus in November of 2010.  Here I put together a couple of 360 degree views of the exhibition.  You can click on the images to get a closer look.  Below is my artist's statement and a list of works shown in the exhibition with links that you can click on to see images.






Artist's Statement:         

The human mind is capable of creating a multitude of conclusions about reality, truth, and existence. I am fascinated by the human mind and the complexity of its possibilities and so, at a very basic level, I am interested in philosophy and mysticism, reason and faith, and how ideas can develop and compete, but also coexist. I also find an internal conflict in myself over my interest in complexity and an obsession I have with simplicity. The coexistence of conflicting ideas is sometimes represented symbolically in my work through the use of animal figures. Labyrinths, knots, and fractals also appear in my work as symbols, simultaneous of complexity and simplicity. My work is inspired by my personal struggles with my mental health, my identity, and my religious upbringing. I try to approach this subject matter in a way that allows my work to resonate with the experiences and beliefs of others (whatever they may be). 

The pagan cultural practice of walking a labyrinth was adopted by the Catholic Church in medieval times as a form of prayer, meditation, and symbolic pilgrimage. However, the Labyrinth has historically been used in cultures throughout the world. The Labyrinth is often confused with the maze, but scholars generally agree that the labyrinth has a single path, while the maze provides a choice of paths to take. Decision making is difficult, but the single path of the labyrinth, with no choices to be made, is incredibly appealing when overwhelmed with questions and uncertainty. It is a small comfort for me to imagine that a single path exists, and that the real challenge is simply finding it. In spite of all the challenges and questions I have I find that creating can function as an act of escape and meditation. Because of this, I hope my work communicates a combination of feelings; anxiety and uncertainty but also a sense of calm and peace.


List of Works:


  

Memories and Stolen Dreams, 2010





"Memories and Stolen Dreams" is a series of 33 small paintings that were completed in 2010.  Each piece is made of gouache paint on mounted watercolor paper.  This series was exhibited in my Honor's Thesis Exhibition, "Cognitive Sprawl", in November 2010.  Above is a view of the installation and a below are images of all 33 individual pieces.  Each piece is loosely based on a personal or found photograph, and incorporates the symbolism that you will see throughout all the work exhibited in "Cognitive Sprawl".  This post is rather long so if you get bored half-way through, feel free skim through or skip to the next post.  These pieces are best viewed as a whole, so let your eye settle on the ones that you like and skip over the ones that don't interest you.





























































































  

The Daily Unwind, 2009-2010





"The Daily Unwind" is a series of 9 pieces that were completed from 2009-2010.  Each piece is acrylic paint and Prismacolor pencil on Masonite.  The series was exhibited in my Honor's Thesis Exhibition, "Cognitive Sprawl", in November 2010.  Above is a view of the installation, and below are images of individual pieces.  




























One But Not Only, 2009





"On But Not Only is" is the third in a series of three paintings completed in 2009.  It is oil on canvas and is made up of many transparent layers.  It was exhibited in my Honor's Thesis Exhibition, "Cognitive Sprawl" in November 2010.


No Side Has Won, 2009





"No Side Has Won" is the second in a series of three paintings completed in 2009.  It is acrylic on masonite and is made up of many transparent layers.  It was exhibited in my Honor's Thesis Exhibition, "Cognitive Sprawl" in November 2010.

My Fears Relieved, 2009





"My Fears Relieved" is the first in a series of three paintings completed in 2009.  It is acrylic on masonite and is made up of many transparent layers.  It was exhibited in my Honor's Thesis Exhibition, "Cognitive Sprawl" in November 2010.

Rising, 2008





"Rising" is the third in a series of three drawings that were completed in the Fall of 2008.  I used oil pastel and colored pencil on layers of tracing paper.  "Rising" is made up of about seven layers of tracing paper.  It was exhibited in my Honor's Thesis Exhibition, "Cognitive Sprawl" in November 2010.