| |
| author |
Shayna Miller
| | title |
Paintings as Talismanic Vessels: An Investigation into Ritual through a Studio Practice
| | abstract |
A visual artist's studio practice may rely on rules and order to reach an intended
outcome, what I would describe as a ritualistic activity. In this project, I investigate how
following specific studio practices plays a role in the making of my paintings. Exploring
the idea of ritual is the driving force behind my process for creating forms and utilizing
color, with the studio being the site of these investigations. My work is a search for a
visual solution through the repetitive and obsessive nature of the process. I also consider
theory regarding the place of the body and religion in contemporary art. From a Judaic
perspective, I investigate ideas of mysticism, Kabbalah, and notions surrounding the
body. From a phenomenological perspective, any representation can be defined as an
embodied one, or one that relates to the human body; this allows me to see paintings as
embodiments. Additionally, an examination of Tantric paintings, contemporary work
inspired by Tantric art, and Theosophical texts have clarified my approach to painting
and understanding of my studio practice. This written portion of my honors thesis in
studio art complements a body of work created in 2018-2019, primarily in oil paint on
panel surfaces. In this paper, I will describe this body of work as a signifier for the idea
of ritual; it is not an attempt to engage with a mystic power but rather a personal
investigation into spiritual observances and practices.
| | school |
The College of Liberal Arts, Drew University
| | degree |
B.A. (2019)
|
| advisor |
Claire Sherman
|
| committee |
Jason Karolak
Kim Rhodes
|
| full text | SRMiller.pdf |
| |
