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Date of Award

1-20-2015

Document Type

Thesis-ISU Access Only

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Department

School of Art

First Advisor

Andreas Fischer

Abstract

This writing acts as a parallel to a series of paintings that attempt to discuss the complex relationships that are formed between groups of people. The paintings act as self-contained depictions of situations where multiple characters are forced to interact with one another. These interactions, though on the surface are often typical moments in American culture such as wrestling, pool parties or meetings, are painted in such a way that the complexity of humans is exposed and therefore counteracts the expected normalcy of those events.

In this paper, there are two groups: leaders and those who are inferior to them. Their way of life, though seemingly simple, gains complexity due to human nature and circumstance. The leaders and their followers are both uncompromisingly loyal to their positions yet allow themselves to interact uncharacteristically with the other group. In this, what should be a typical power dynamic, someone who is in power and someone who is not, is brought to the surface and the slipperiness of those positions becomes apparent. Both groups gain and lose power through how they interact with one another and through their perceptions or misconceptions of the other group. Both groups attempt to manipulate one another to achieve an advantage but nothing changes. There is stasis.

Comments

Imported from ProQuest Profitt_ilstu_0092N_10414.pdf

DOI

http://doi.org/10.30707/ETD2015.Profitt.K

Page Count

23

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