Rebekah Lynn
Helping Myself and Driving Myself Crazy
2020
Acrylic on reclaimed canvas
28” x 34”
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Fleeting
2020
iPhone Photo
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Migraine
2021
Acrylic on Mixed Media Paper
18" x 24"
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Paint by Nature, Not by Number
2021
Acrylic on Reclaimed Plywood
12” x 24”
Statement
I aim to center my own health and well-being. It is important for other artists to see that it is possible to create and still sleep, eat, and exist without the pressure to constantly produce. I integrate various mindfulness and meditative practices into my work, as well as exercise routines to help prevent repetitive use injuries. An accompanying research paper details my thoughts on art culture, self-care, and political involvement.
My work assesses that ‘art culture’ perpetuates several dangerous lies to its participants. At the core of those lies is the overarching idea that you must prove yourself to be a “real artist” before you can be taken seriously. “Real artists,” according to these ideas, are supposed to sacrifice everything for their work: their time, their bodies, their money, their relationships, and their mental health. And although it is unfortunately true that artists must make some sacrifices for their pursuits, I disagree with society’s willingness to accept this, and worse, celebrate it. This body of work is that disagreement coming to life: fighting against the negative parts of art culture and celebrating care and communal sharing of resources and knowledge. This work does not claim to be perfect, nor does it claim to fix the problems on its own. What this work does do is act as my own personal catharsis for the struggles I have faced in trying to undo these harmful notions in my own mind. It has helped me grapple with my own complacence in contributing to the rhetoric of the “crazy artist.” I want this work to feel like an escape from the traditional art experience, and from the high-speed chase toward “success” that capitalism consistently pushes us towards.
General Fine Arts (BFA) Students
Abby Holgerson - not exhibiting
Anyuan Ji - not exhibiting
Catalina Zamarripa - not exhibiting
Doyee Kim - not exhibiting
Evie Huang - not exhibiting
Ezra Lee-Burns - not exhibiting
Hannah Hatley - not exhibiting
Harley French - not exhibiting
Junyu Chen - not exhibiting
Lara Wei - not exhibiting
Lauren Campbell - not exhibiting
Meixuan Li - not exhibiting