The Living Room: Senior Art Exhibition
A brief look at the the Senior Studio Art Exhibition
By M Yeager
One of the current exhibitions in the Catherine G. Murphy Gallery is “The Living Room,” a student creative showcase. I’ve done a Q and A with all of the artists to highlight the hard work that was done on their pieces. The description in the showcase is as follows:
“The Living Room” showcases each artist’s journey of their time at St. Kate’s. The artwork on view includes themes of family, emotions, identity, and connections. The exhibition title reflects a desire for the artwork to be shared in an inviting and comfortable environment. A living room is a space for conversations, playfulness, and rest.
Mathis J. “Blue” Edwards ‘23 (Studio Art)
A picture of Edwards with his work.
Artist’s Statement: My current body of work has given me a chance to curate a space with intention, where board games, warm beverages, light, music, and company are most welcome. It is scattered with my favorite things: fossils, animals, the ocean, even a swear word or two. During this exhibition, please make yourself at home.
Q: What is a favorite of your work and a favorite of each of the other’s works?
A: My favorite of Theo’s pieces is one of their poetry pieces; a favorite of Callie’s is the sunglass veil; my favorite of Maya’s is her heart [...] and also her book; my favorite of Dee’s is the photo album. The [my] chess set has to be my favorite, I made it for like six months.
Q: Three words to describe how you are feeling about graduation?
A: Finally. Yay. Bye!
Q: Three words to describe your time here at St. Kate’s?
A: Visual Arts Building
Callie Korzeniowski ‘23 (Art History)
A picture of Korzeniowski with her work.
Artist’s Statement: My artwork is influenced by the world around me, from music and visual media, to world events and other artists. I normally go with the flow of what inspires me at the moment to create something. Lately, I’ve been inspired by emotions, and I’m interested in representing them across media to communicate how I process those emotions.
Q: What is a favorite of your work and a favorite of each of the other’s works?
A: Favorite of mine might have to be the expression of sadness with the veil I have with it. Maya, I think I would have to go with her rabbits. Dee’s work, I love her Archive of Nostalgia. Theo’s work, I love all of their photos. It feels just lived in. As for Blue’s, I love his chess piece that he did.
Q: Three words to describe how you are feeling about graduation?
A: Stressed, nervous, also excited?
Q: Three words to describe your time here at St. Kate’s?
A: Fast, stressful and fun
Maya O’Reilly ‘23 (Studio Art and Art History)
A picture of O’Reilly with her work.
Artist’s Statement: My artwork explores the period of time when we are transitioning into adulthood and discovering what our identities are, while grappling with the lessons learned in childhood. The body of work considers the beauty of growth and mistakes, and the complicated relationships we create with ourselves and others. It’s both an expression of self-understanding and an invitation to others to share their connection with femininity. What does it mean to be or be seen as a “feminine person” and how does that affect how someone moves through the world?
Q: What is a favorite of your work and a favorite of each of the other’s works?
A: For mine, the rabbits or the heart. I love Dee’s photo album. I love Callie’s emotion series, I love seeing it suspended. For Theo, I love their gold leaf portraits. For Blue’s, probably either the chess set or his saber-tooth cats.
Q: Three words to describe how you are feeling about graduation?
A: Nervous, excited and hopeful
Q: Three words to describe your time here at St. Kate’s?
A: Fast, friendship, helpful
Dee Taropurua ‘23 (Studio Art)
A picture of Taropurua with her work.
Artist’s Statement: My art-making process involves organizing different elements to encapsulate a motif and finding creative avenues to illuminate abstract emotions and ideas. While the themes and subjects of my artwork are diverse, the unifying factor is that I’m creating pieces that bring me joy.
Q: What is a favorite of your work and a favorite of each of the other’s works?
A: I would say my Little Book of Island Life. The inspiration behind it was that I found a children’s ABC book in the little library in my grandma’s front yard. I was kind of inspired to use my parent’s native languages to create my own alphabet book. I really like [Blue’s] chess board. In terms of Theo’s work, I really like their painting with a foot in the river … it has a dream quality about it. I really liked her [Callie’s] emotions, the paintings paired with the jewelry pieces. Maya’s work: I really like the ceramic heart.
Q: Three words to describe how you are feeling about graduation?
A: Nervous, excited, hopeful
Q: Three words to describe your time here at St. Kate’s?
A: Unexpected, friendship and growth
Theo von Weiss ‘23 (Studio Art and Philosophy)
A picture of von Weiss with their work.
Artist’s Statement: My dream is for each person to have a unique spiritual and philosophical experience with my artwork. My poems, photography, and paintings are only a starting point; hopefully they will stretch out further and further away from me and impact others. Ask questions. Explore it in your own way.
Q: What is a favorite of your work and a favorite of each of the other’s works?
A: Mine is “One is Silver and the other.” I have an emotional connection to the bunnies. My favorite of Dee’s is the installation [desk installation], my favorite of Callie’s is all six of the emotions, my favorite of Blue’s is the chess set.
Q: Three words to describe how you are feeling about graduation?
A: Excited, nervous, hopeful
Q: Three words to describe your time here at St. Kate’s?
A: Chaotic, supportive and creative
Check out and support the Studio Art seniors at the Catherine G. Murphy Gallery! The exhibition runs until Sunday, May 21, and there is an artists’ talk on Thursday, May 4 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
