Mad Art Gallery proudly presents Molly Douglass' and Jessica May's MFA Thesis Exhibitions. These exhibitions will open on Friday, April 24, 2009, with a free opening reception from 7:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.
Molly Douglass Artist Statement
I am propelled in my work towards objects and things that elicit a duality of emotive response. Creatures that both repel and attract, forms that require disgust and fascination through their mere existence. I am attracted to the dichotomies that inherently arise out of the existence of a thing that cannot wholly belong to one category or another. As humans we codify and classify the world around us in order to better assimilate and understand. Many things exist outside these imposed classifications, straddling two or more areas of understanding and perception. It is in these Frankensteins that I find my inspiration; like using the visceral nature of a rotting corpse to demonstrate loves' ability to live beyond the confines of the corporeal. These pieces are meant to push the boundaries of wearability. By relating the forms to the body the pieces manifest themselves as psychological weight. As extensions of the self, their physical characteristics lie somewhere between the fantastic and the real. The white is meant to divest the pieces of their specificity to a person, and allow the viewer to experience notions of anxiety, desire, repression, release, control, and guilt.
Jessica May Artist Statement
In general, my current work deals with levels of separation and/or mediation between people and nature. I blend remains of animals and man-made materials such as glass, wood, fabric, etc. Some of my work focuses on the separation I see between people/culture in general and nature, while other work deals with my own personal feelings of disconnect. I intend viewers to question how and why they assign varying levels of value for the life around them. I have combined uncared-for animals with luxurious materials to confront traditional expectations. This work is about honoring the animal- and life in general- by spending time considering them in ways that have usually been reserved only for beautiful things. By juxtaposing dead roadkill with more traditional art materials I challenge people to question their concepts of beauty.
Please join us for a free opening reception on Friday, April 24, 2009, from 7:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.
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