This Saturday I presented this term’s artwork for review by my peers and professors.  Here are a few photos of how it was arranged for critique.

I’ve been asked to explore more display options.  Cutting them out and presenting the dolls in site-specific installations was one suggestion.  Removing the black mat boards was a popular remark.  Making art books from these pages was a third.

After the critique, I removed the mats, and will try my next set of costumes on a 300# paper (since the 140# requires stretching in order to forestall warping).  When you stretch watercolor paper, the edges are permanently marred by the gummed paper.  Allowing those gummed edges to show didn’t bother those critiquing my work this Saturday.

It does bother me.

To use a food analogy, the same carefully cooked meal will be experienced (and tasted) differently whether:  1) eaten off paper plates while standing at the sink, or 2) from tastefully plated dishes in a leisurely manner.  The black mats may not be the correct plating for this visual meal, but I see no reason to ask my viewers/guests to eat over the sink.

There’s a balance.  I just need to find it.

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As always, there are a number of artists I was encouraged to study:

Amy Cutler

Shahzia Sikander

Dottie Attie

Portia Munson

Hilary Harkness