Class of 2017 Senior Art Thesis
WELLIN MUSEUM OF ART
Ellison Sherrill
Contact Information:
Ellison Sherrill
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ARTIST STATEMENT:
Last year, abroad in Italy, I discovered the Baroque marbles replete with sumptuous fabrics. I found a disconnect between the hard material and the softness of what it represented. That became the starting point for my senior thesis, as I tried to understand my attraction to fabric. My artistic process has paralleled my sense of control; the manipulation of each fold, equivalents the handling of my presentation to others.
As my younger sister has coped with depression and a tough year, I noticed the stress I put on myself to seem okay. I never know how she is feeling, if she’s alone, or even if she is thinking about ending her life. Every person has a story, yet we feel we need to hide parts of our lives. Our high-pressure society pushes us to present a perfect image, letting few see what is truly amidst our fabric. If I feel pressure for perfection, what about my sister? Mental disorders are stigmatized, causing my sister to hide amongst her thoughts and unexplained unhappiness.
These portraits relate to the physical, as amidst the landscape exists the imprint of the body. The delicate fluidity of fabric hides the unseen, leading the viewer to question what they see, and how one’s own physical body relates to the work.
What is your fabric hiding?