Abstract
After dedicating over two years to pursuing an MFA degree focused on ceramics and sculpture, I find myself transported back to a familiar setting from my past: a tableau reminiscent of what remained in the dining space after four young children finished a meal and exited the room. Revisiting the scene recalls happy times despite the disorder. What helped maintain my sanity during the relentless repetition of the every-day-long task was the realization that every day, innocents are learning to become aware of the world around them. For my thesis exhibition, I created a tableau as a loud reminder of those messier times in my home. My exhibition features an oversized wooden toddler's chair and table, surrounded by scattered meal-time remnants exaggerated in scale predominantly crafted from ceramic. The food items are strewn about in seemingly random arrangements, creating a chaotic still life. Perhaps the disproportionate size of the furniture and the disorderliness subconsciously acknowledge the monumental challenge of caring for children, a task that once felt never-ending but has since become a distant memory. Viewers may find solace in the mundane subject matter and in the ease of recognizing the familiar elements on display.
Degree
MFA
College and Department
Fine Arts and Communications; Art
Rights
https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Crabtree, Mary Ann, "Still Life Happens" (2024). Theses and Dissertations. 10289.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/10289
Date Submitted
2024-04-12
Document Type
Thesis
Handle
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd13127
Keywords
art, sculpture, tableau, installation, still life, mundane, quotidian, every day, space, sphere, ceramic, stoneware, cooking, recipe, dog kibble, large dog bowl, ceramic food, ceramic wall platters, underglaze, low-fire glaze, upscale, milk paint, carved-wood food, large table, simulacra, large chair, IKEA junior chair, highchair, childhood food, mess, remnants, ABC gum, degradation, relic
Language
english