Shifting Through the Circuit: A BFA Painting Exhibition

Our BFA Senior Show was a bittersweet moment. Clearly, my studio mates and I have thrived within our last semester at CSULB. Seeing the culmination of our time at CSULB emanating from our work was rewarding and exciting. Yet, I know that from my point of view it also feels like the end of the road, at least academically. I mean it is, but it felt different looking at the show knowing it would be the last time any of us would be exhibiting our work at the on campus student galleries. The show itself was a hit. Our opening night was full of foot traffic and during the week it showed we encountered a diverse array of viewers. We got a lot of good feedback on the show as well as helpful critiques that will push us forward past this milestone. We all look forward to the future and what our emerging art careers will bring to us. I can’t believe we’re about to graduate!!!!

I have included pictures from the opening night as well as install shots.

Keep in mind that if you were not able to catch this show I do have a solo show in the works for January-February of 2020 which will include the two paintings I showed here. Also I will continue to post about any other upcoming shows I will participate in for the remainder of 2019.

Fuerza: A Duo Painting Exhibition

“Fuerza” meaning “force” in Spanish; in this case, describes the empowerment and ambition​ ​of female-identified artists. This collection of work expresses several ways that women are celebrated through painting. Vivian and Jacqueline both speak on relevant topics regarding femininity, yet do so in opposing ways.

Although both artists use dynamic color palettes, Vivian uses these palettes to create sensuous abstractions emphasizing the female form through draped bodies, while Jacqueline uses geometric patterns in conjunction with the representational components of her work to bring attention to women within the Chicano world of lowriding. Because lowriding is a predominantly male subculture, women in this scene are defying traditional gender stereotypes by denying the sexual appeal attached to women. Jacqueline references the murals seen in latinx communities which focus on religion and political issues to comment on how women are seen as divine but juxtaposes it by using it as a feminist statement. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Vivian’s work is meant to embrace these characteristics that have been deemed “feminine”, such as using variations of pink in her palettes, as well as, the inclusion of organic flowing shapes. She uses fabrics and textiles as the subject of her work because they have used to either accentuate or conceal the physical attributes of the female form.

Upon observing these visual systems, the viewer is asked to think about the relationship between changing structures and stimulating sensuality. Ultimately both artists create visually different work ranging from geometric and representation to organic and intuitive, yet both use similar color schemes. Overall this creates visual comparisons allowing the viewers to switch between artwork without drastic disruption.