UNCP B.A. Senior Capstone Exhibition

On View: March 24 to April 6, 2021

Featuring work by:

Stephanie Breault, Catherine Palmer, and Autumn Roush

Visual Art students Stephanie Breault, Catherine Palmer, and Autumn Roush present their works in their Senior Capstone Exhibition, Frames of Reference. In this exhibition, artworks of various media reveal the world in the way that these artists perceive it. These perceptions are influenced by the artists’ “frames of reference,” which consist of personal beliefs, values, experiences, and much more. Artists see our world differently; thus, when observing their works, you’ll find a window looking into how these artists’ frames of reference build their perception of the world.

          Stephanie Breault’s series of ceramic pieces explores one of nature’s most dangerous invasive species: plastic pollution. To emphasize the idea that plastic waste has assumed a “normal” part of nature, she combines wildlife with various plastic waste objects to create hybrid creatures belonging to a world overrun by plastic pollution, at the hands of humans’ disregard for nature. Stephanie combines three-dimensional ceramic sculpture with acrylic paint to bring life to these creatures, in hope that the life-like quality of her pieces conveys the gravity of her message to her viewers and that it prompts reflection about how our actions affect the environment and nature around us.

          Catherine Palmer's work is centered around women and how each is a goddess in their own way. Women throughout time have been affected by the world around them in negative and positive ways. This series focuses on the growth of women from thinking negatively about themselves to coming to believe that they are beautiful in their own light. Each work has a play on words to a certain goddess from greek mythology. Catherine hopes that you can see the beauty within yourself by looking at these women stepping out of their normal comfort levels and showing their true beauty to the viewers. 

          At its core, Autumn Roush’s work centers around life and vibrancy, which she endeavors to convey across a wide range of mediums and subjects.  Even if the subject is inanimate, she will often imbue it with lifelike qualities.  One way of accomplishing this is through stylistic choices.  Her style is characterized by dynamic compositions with expressive lines, interesting textures, dramatic lighting, and bold colors.  Her subjects often contain whimsical elements.  It is important for art to have layers of meaning, as well.  While her pieces should be well-crafted enough to stand alone, at face value, Autumn also tries to give them deeper levels of meaning that can be found upon further inspection.  If viewers of Autumn’s work can engage with it and find meaning (personal or otherwise) on their own, then her job is done.