A Family Legacy

Matthews, Janine

Savannah, Georgia: Savannah College of Art and Design (eLearning)

2019-11

Thesis (M.F.A.) -- Painting

Savannah College of Art and Design -- Department of Painting

Includes bibliographical references (pages 60-61)

"The manipulation of essential qualities within textiles and lumber in this exhibition is influenced by the legacy conveyed to me by my mother, and by numerous other makers and artists in my lineage. The inherent beauty lurking within materials such as wood and unadorned fabric inspires my physical utilisation of raw, unprocessed textiles. Walnut, twine, rope, cotton and burlap interspersed with acrylic medium and paint inspire and inform my current creative direction. This artistic enquiry explores the processes and motivation encompassing my exhibition, 'A Family Legacy.' After 8 years of undergraduate and graduate study, as well as a recent journey through representational self-portraiture enhanced by circumspect abstract detail, I did not expect to be employing familial roots in an exhibition of works heavily influenced by art, craft and making. I cannot disavow my hereditary heritage; I am unable to eschew ancestral influence, especially the close family members in my life who were accomplished makers, artisans and artists. As a marked contrast to my creative investigations of the past 4 years, I feel compelled to reconsider my original artistic roots. If not for craft, my personal career in fine art would likely never have evolved. This collection of works is also influenced by contemporary artists who employ textiles and wood to create two and three dimensional artforms."

*Keywords: family, legacy, crafts, makers, lineage, hereditary, abstract, fine art, textiles

CHAIR: Knudsen, Stephen

Schroeder, Todd

Eltringham, Gregory

English

Painting

Text

PDF : 61 pages, color illustrations

Copyright is retained by the authors or artists of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.