2026 Annual Student Art Exhibition Images
Preview
Student Exhibition Year
2026
Description
Plaster sculpture with acrylic paint depicting a block of Swiss cheese. Presented as part of the 2026 Annual Student Exhibit in the Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College.
Dimensions
4.25 x 4.25 x 4.25 inches
Artist Statement
The world of Pop Art and its bold graphic imagery has always been a source of inspiration for me. I have found myself attracted to the methodical construction that goes into the successful rendering of the works created during the movement. In contrast, the bold colors being utilized in tandem with the precise method of execution is something I have strived to emulate throughout my work. When diving into creation, these artistic influences became prevalent in the ways that I relied on the details of the production process to create my larger, cohesive works.
Through my studio practice, I have come to realize that the contrasting personalities of my mother and father are more present in myself than I once thought as a preteen. I have found myself embracing the things that I might've once wanted nothing to do with. My dad's power tools have become mine, offering a helping hand in the studio. My mom's bright spirit comes through in the color and form that show up in my work. My work, over time, has aimed to explore this intersection between masculinity and femininity, as it is learned from my own parents.
Because of my dad, I never doubted my physical ability to make my ideas a reality. As a kid, my dad would jump at the opportunity to put a hammer or screwdriver in my hand. He showed me early on that I could be as capable as he knew I could be. Whether I realized it or not, he taught me to problem solve day to day. In the studio, I found myself needing to be resourceful and creative when faced with logistical problems. Sometimes, a phone call to my dad would be the best solution. Because of my mom, I never held back for fear of falling short. I learned to tackle problems without aversion and to give everything I could give to projects that I believed in. Watching my mom's passion for any endeavor she set out to accomplish showed me that the issues in front of me are nothing if I am determined to see my work through to the end. I love my mom for the person that she chooses to be every day. Because of her, I learned the value of being unapologetically myself. I learned there's nothing wrong with being the loudest, the weirdest, or the most colorful one in the room.
I see my dad in the borrowed drill bits and screws that hold my pieces together
I see my mom in the intricate details I carve in my prints, precise and planned
I see my dad in the saw dust collecting on my studio floor
I see my mom in the bright paint colors that make sure to be noticed
I see my dad in the rulers and protractors that offer precise construction every time
I see my mom in the scale of my works, never too big or too overly ambitious
I see my dad in the artist that I am today
I see my mom in the artist that I am today
Rights Statement
Copyright of the underlying work is held by the artist. The digital image presented here is for educational purposes only and is not for commercial use.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Keywords
student art exhibit, 2026, sculpture, acrylic paint, plaster, cheese
Comments
Winner of the Donald E. Camp Award. Established and selected by Donald E. Camp, professor emeritus of art, and awarded to the student exhibiting risk-taking in art in the Annual Student Exhibition.