Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Department

Art

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Abstract

A Cautionary Tale presents a series of narrative ceramic sculptures, each functioning as a short story rooted in the realities of contemporary American life. While fictional, these works draw directly from real social and political conditions, including disinformation, systemic corruption, the abuse of power, and the exploitation of the vulnerable. Through symbolic narrative and visual metaphor, each sculpture operates as both story and social critique.

My work merges artistic practice with engagement in contemporary issues, examining how wealth, technology, and ideology shape human behavior and societal structures. I am interested in how harm becomes normalized and how individuals are both shaped by and complicit within these systems. The ceramic figures and forms embody tension, fragility, and distortion, reflecting the psychological and moral complexities of living within these conditions.

Visually, the work is layered and symbolically charged. I incorporate text, imagery, color, and tactile surfaces to draw viewers in before confronting them with ambiguity and discomfort. At times, the imagery is direct and legible; at others, it is suggestive and open-ended. Rather than offering resolution, these sculptures invite viewers to reflect, question, and consider their own position within the narratives.

Alongside these narrative works, a separate body of abstract ceramic sculpture is presented as a more intimate, internal counterpart. These pieces function like melodies without words. They are forms that do not rely on language, yet still carry emotional resonance and narrative presence. They explore line, color, and form as a record of the soul, giving physical presence to what cannot be seen: energy, memory, grief, and resilience. While one body of work confronts external systems, the other documents internal experience.

Together, they reflect the visible and invisible forces shaping human life.

Keywords

Ceramics, Fine Arts, Visual Art, Funk Art, Abstract Art, Sculpture

Advisor

Linda Ganstrom

Date of Award

Fall 2026

Document Type

MFA Portfolio

Rights

© The Author

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