Research of Baroque and Renaissance painting for the purpose of creating a painting of contemporary student life

Abstract

For Student Research Day, I would like to present an acrylic painting on canvas, and a project display which would be a board to display my research references and artist statement. I am also open to doing an oral presentation. This project started as a research presentation where students proposed an idea for a painting that considers the concept of time using research to make reference to historical events and culture. For this painting I chose to approach this theme through lived experience, art imitating life, the inherent closeness of the human experience, and how this is in contrast with historical depictions of human connection. The reference for this painting is 11 Studio Arts students gathered at a long table in a classroom. The reference was not arranged; it was taken to capture the natural state of a chosen seating arrangement. I found that this composition unintentionally mimics the Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci and wanted to explore how a contemporary setting can be communicated through its historical reference. My presentation will show the contrast between aspects of the institutional setting and religion, continuity of human connection, difference in materials and value placed upon them, and the overall interest of reflecting on the effects of historical art through a contemporary setting.

Faculty Mentor: Collin Johanson