Curatorial Rationale
My exhibition explores the human condition, specifically how society has become isolated. Today, we are more interconnected than any period in history that has come before. Yet, statistics reveal that more than half of young adults often feel lonely. As it was something I had personally experienced, I wanted to explore its implications. Through my exhibition, I wanted to evoke a sense of loneliness in viewers and offer explanations for why we are headed down this path.
In this collection, each work captures a moment in time, trapping a particular mood or scene for viewers to learn from. A common motif throughout my exhibition is the inclusion of human figures. As these works explore a facet of the human condition, I intended this so viewers could make a clear connection between these lonely experiences and figures. Throughout my exhibition, I also utilized an impressionistic style. I used this stylistic feature to create a lack of gentleness, highlighting the twisted loneliness these figures feel. The reoccurring use of dark colors emphasizes the dreary nature of isolation. Similarly, I used motifs such as cigarettes and drinking to create subtle connections between artworks. In my collection, I used different media and sizes to demonstrate how loneliness can affect anyone. This is most notable in Chained Down, where I utilized the scale of the cast sculpture to capture the viewer’s attention and demonstrate the magnitude of loneliness’s effects. Moreover, each artwork is placed next to each other at eye level, ensuring that viewers naturally move from one piece to another.
I wanted to convey my message through my exhibition’s arrangement, which is organized in three sections: introduction, answers, and relief. First, I aimed to establish a quiet tone and evoke a sense of loneliness in the viewers through the first two works, which mirror each other in terms of structure and message. I wanted to create a sense of eerie silence, as I believed it would unnerve viewers. I explored the dangers of isolation in my third work, Warning (As Deadly as Loneliness), to show viewers the importance of this exhibition. With the cracks, I introduced the dark motif which characterizes the exhibition. The next three artworks explore what causes the prevalent loneliness in our society. I used dark values in Apartment Cells and Drinking Alone to establish a visual connection between them, as well as create connotations of danger and isolation. At this point, I wanted to emphasize the misery of loneliness through the increasingly darkening artworks and make viewers to feel hopeless.
My exhibition culminates with Lonely Hearts in Crowds and a sigh of relief. These two works are linked by the emphasis on blue tones, as they both complete the exhibition. The dark veins of the penultimate artwork echo the cracks of Warning (As Deadly as Loneliness), creating a subtle connection so viewers recall the dangerous effects of loneliness. This piece is integral to the collection because it shows viewers that loneliness is a part of what it means to be human. In this way, it also tells viewers that everything seen in this exhibition prior to this painting is a natural part of being human.
However, the final painting ends on a hopeful note. The smoother brushstrokes of the countryside demonstrate this is the most complete and secure piece of the gallery. As the exhibition progressed, I intended the viewer to experience a gradual crescendo of images: from quiet, eerie scenes of forests to destructive cracking and chains. With this piece, I planned to end the exhibition with a sense of closure. Instead of feeling unable to avoid the isolation that comes with the human experience, I hope viewers will have confidence and faith when they confront their feelings of loneliness.
With this exhibition, I intended viewers to emerge with a better understanding of what loneliness is and how it appears in our lives. Raising awareness for such a powerful emotion is necessary for viewers to better understand what it means to be human. By exploring multiple aspects of what causes feelings of isolation, I believe I have provided viewers with a broader spectrum to learn from.
In this collection, each work captures a moment in time, trapping a particular mood or scene for viewers to learn from. A common motif throughout my exhibition is the inclusion of human figures. As these works explore a facet of the human condition, I intended this so viewers could make a clear connection between these lonely experiences and figures. Throughout my exhibition, I also utilized an impressionistic style. I used this stylistic feature to create a lack of gentleness, highlighting the twisted loneliness these figures feel. The reoccurring use of dark colors emphasizes the dreary nature of isolation. Similarly, I used motifs such as cigarettes and drinking to create subtle connections between artworks. In my collection, I used different media and sizes to demonstrate how loneliness can affect anyone. This is most notable in Chained Down, where I utilized the scale of the cast sculpture to capture the viewer’s attention and demonstrate the magnitude of loneliness’s effects. Moreover, each artwork is placed next to each other at eye level, ensuring that viewers naturally move from one piece to another.
I wanted to convey my message through my exhibition’s arrangement, which is organized in three sections: introduction, answers, and relief. First, I aimed to establish a quiet tone and evoke a sense of loneliness in the viewers through the first two works, which mirror each other in terms of structure and message. I wanted to create a sense of eerie silence, as I believed it would unnerve viewers. I explored the dangers of isolation in my third work, Warning (As Deadly as Loneliness), to show viewers the importance of this exhibition. With the cracks, I introduced the dark motif which characterizes the exhibition. The next three artworks explore what causes the prevalent loneliness in our society. I used dark values in Apartment Cells and Drinking Alone to establish a visual connection between them, as well as create connotations of danger and isolation. At this point, I wanted to emphasize the misery of loneliness through the increasingly darkening artworks and make viewers to feel hopeless.
My exhibition culminates with Lonely Hearts in Crowds and a sigh of relief. These two works are linked by the emphasis on blue tones, as they both complete the exhibition. The dark veins of the penultimate artwork echo the cracks of Warning (As Deadly as Loneliness), creating a subtle connection so viewers recall the dangerous effects of loneliness. This piece is integral to the collection because it shows viewers that loneliness is a part of what it means to be human. In this way, it also tells viewers that everything seen in this exhibition prior to this painting is a natural part of being human.
However, the final painting ends on a hopeful note. The smoother brushstrokes of the countryside demonstrate this is the most complete and secure piece of the gallery. As the exhibition progressed, I intended the viewer to experience a gradual crescendo of images: from quiet, eerie scenes of forests to destructive cracking and chains. With this piece, I planned to end the exhibition with a sense of closure. Instead of feeling unable to avoid the isolation that comes with the human experience, I hope viewers will have confidence and faith when they confront their feelings of loneliness.
With this exhibition, I intended viewers to emerge with a better understanding of what loneliness is and how it appears in our lives. Raising awareness for such a powerful emotion is necessary for viewers to better understand what it means to be human. By exploring multiple aspects of what causes feelings of isolation, I believe I have provided viewers with a broader spectrum to learn from.