Date of Award
December 2019
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Department
Art
Committee Member
Kathleen Thum
Committee Member
Todd McDonald
Committee Member
Andrea Feeser
Abstract
Abject Adaptations is a body of work that contemplates harmful, external forces surrounding women’s bodies and how these bodies adapt in order to possess agency. The work examines these external forces, adaptations and agencies using a variety of conflicting visual cues that border on the grotesque, as well as the beauty and playfulness of highly rendered illustration. Processes include the application of mixed media techniques that layer watercolor, watercolor pencil, colored pencil, graphite pencil and acrylic paint. These techniques provide a colorful and playful dichotomy to the abject forms being rendered. The cartoonish way the forms are rendered make them appear anthropomorphic. Despite their grotesque appearance, their liveliness could invite the viewer to interact with said form. Through this body of work, I contemplate the struggles of an abject body, as well as point out the collective ingenuities and adaptations that display the strength and endurance of the abject body.
Recommended Citation
Williams, Annamarie E., "Abject Adaptations" (2019). All Theses. 3210.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/3210