HOME IS WHERE THE HOPE IS
Location
FA-247
Department
Art + Design
Abstract
HOME IS WHERE THE HOPE IS Briana Kielan Harris Department of Art and Design, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL 60625 My work investigates the process of honing in on hope. My father taught me very early on that for every pound of pain in this life, you’ll get only a penny of pleasure. So, you must always spend your pennies wisely. For myself, the pennies lie in the paintings and poems, the films and fantasies, the songs and sacraments which remind me that I can in fact be my own ray of light amidst the storm. My art is not just a reflection of personal struggle but a celebration of the human spirit’s capacity to recognize hope as a beacon driving us forward. In my mixed media canvas pieces, I layer many saturated colors on top of each other, revealing these layers in a way which accentuates the tenacity one must use to claw themselves out of depression. I also incorporate iridescent and shimmering mediums into my works as a symbol of hope, which will glimmer from any angle. I use vintage objects and furniture, book pages, and textiles in a unique fashion to bring the viewer into another time, in another dimension where misery takes a back seat to peace of mind. Through these assorted media, I bring the viewer along with me through a visual multiverse of healing and inward exploration. The unique textural techniques used, my choices in color, and the assorted media work cohesively to address the passion and fortitude needed to push through the darkness.
Faculty Sponsor
Todd Irwin
Faculty Sponsor
Mary Porterfield
HOME IS WHERE THE HOPE IS
FA-247
HOME IS WHERE THE HOPE IS Briana Kielan Harris Department of Art and Design, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL 60625 My work investigates the process of honing in on hope. My father taught me very early on that for every pound of pain in this life, you’ll get only a penny of pleasure. So, you must always spend your pennies wisely. For myself, the pennies lie in the paintings and poems, the films and fantasies, the songs and sacraments which remind me that I can in fact be my own ray of light amidst the storm. My art is not just a reflection of personal struggle but a celebration of the human spirit’s capacity to recognize hope as a beacon driving us forward. In my mixed media canvas pieces, I layer many saturated colors on top of each other, revealing these layers in a way which accentuates the tenacity one must use to claw themselves out of depression. I also incorporate iridescent and shimmering mediums into my works as a symbol of hope, which will glimmer from any angle. I use vintage objects and furniture, book pages, and textiles in a unique fashion to bring the viewer into another time, in another dimension where misery takes a back seat to peace of mind. Through these assorted media, I bring the viewer along with me through a visual multiverse of healing and inward exploration. The unique textural techniques used, my choices in color, and the assorted media work cohesively to address the passion and fortitude needed to push through the darkness.