Monique Cole: Synthesis of American Trauma
Artist Statement
Forty humans were violently murdered on school grounds last year and one hundred additional people were non-fatally injured. This work seeks to illuminate that horrific statistic in a way that reveals the raw, negative, immediate emotions experienced during such events in the same moment. There are people that suffer with those statistics, and it’s important that we be reminded of them for the purpose of changing them.
The intent behind my artistry is to offer an accurate and aesthetically pleasing reflection of society to itself with the objective of compelling change and appropriate justice. Using both implicit and explicit narratives, my work focuses on the victims of a capitalistic reality and the related societal constraints with which we are forced to construct our world. The future has a great amount of potential, but we must acknowledge our societal flaws to begin the reconstructive process towards a utopia. This process is difficult, and it has been difficult to face as a sensitive artist as well. Facing our problems that currently exist is a painful, but necessary, step on the path for justice. I invite you to face some of them with me.
About the Project
- Title of Work: Synthesis of American Trauma
- Medium: 18" x 36" framed photographic collage
- Student's Name: Monique Cole
- Major: Art
- Anticipated Graduation Date: Dec 2023
- Hometown: Kingdom City
- Student's Mentor: Angela Shaffer
- Mentor's Department: School of Visual Studies
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